Listen to the Sunrise

Its been many years since old Grandfather passed.
When I was little I never wondered how long it would last.
So many questions, all waiting to be asked.

I remember standing with him at the edge of the Badlands.
His long gray braids, and old weathered hands.
He was six years old at the Battle of Greasy Grass.
The one you all call Custer's Last Stand.

Grandpa always made time for me, when no one else would.
I asked him questions because he'd answer them like no one else could.
And he'd take the time to answer them, when no one else would.

"Grandpa, why is the sky blue?"
"The Creator wanted it to look like a jewel,
so he made it like saphire, just for me and you."
Grandpa's answers were always so cool!

Grandpa how will I know when i'm all grown-up and wise?
Grandfather looked down at me and said, "When you can hear the sun rise."
Now Grandpa was never one to fib, he never told lies,
but really now, how do you hear the sunrise?

Grandfather had been gone for many years and I still didn't know.
I'd get up early to watch the sunburst show,
and though I'd seen many a sun color and sun glow,
I'd never heard the sun make a single sound or musical note.

Then one day, my own grandchild was born.
I stood outside on that early summer morn.
amid the gold ripening of the New Mexico corn,
and behold I heard it louder than any drum or any horn.

On that day, as I stood still and closed my eyes,
and I listened with my heart as the sun began to rise.
Sure enough, I heard it to my great surprise!
If you are still, it is true, you can hear the sun rise!