Poems & lyrics celebrating Kansas Flint Hills land & people by Annie Wilson – the “Flint Hills Balladeer”
Sky Says to the Buffalo The sky says to the buffalo That drift across the grass, “Like shadows of my clouds you go For days your herd will pass.” The water tells the buffalo: “Your leaders seek me out. They smell my creek or water hole And save the herd from drought” The wind will tell the buffalo: “I’ll feed the flames of fire Or freeze the winter air you breathe As my blizzard winds grow higher.” The grassland tells the buffalo: “You help my prairie live Your wanderin’ grazing helps me grow These grasses that I give.”
The Indian tells the buffalo: “You give us all our power. You help us feed our children As sunlight grows the flower.” He thanks the brother buffalo That falls beneath his bow For strength of spirit, tools of bone, Family, food, and home. The sky and water, wind and grass, The Native people now and past, All know -- the buffalo From times -- so long ago.
