Be Here Now, A Dakota Epithalamion

After soaking up all the wedding festivities and delightful details, I jotted down this list poem for the beautiful couple, Matthew and Rebecca, otherwise now known as Mr. and Mrs. Burns.

Be Here Now, A Dakota Epithalamion
June 2013

Prairie

Prairie

Prairie sky

Morning

Meadowlark

White rocking chairs

Porch

Trapper’s Cabin

Rebecca, wearing a white cotton nightgown with lace and blue ribbon, reads “I Marry Adventure” in a zebra-bound cover

Matthew, sporting a beard, sips coffee

Cheyenne River

Sun

Wild horses, running

Dust

Wild horses, stopping to turn their faces as one

Tipi

Sundance

Wind

Flyaway Cabin

Women’s Circle

Comet

Men’s Circle

Comet

Stories

Gratitude

Laughter

Flask

Campfire

Stars

Moon rising

Love

Morning

Prairie

Prairie

Prairie falcon

Sweat lodge

Fire

Prayer

Pine Ridge, where grandmother worked

Horses descended from Crazy Horse’s very own mount

Buffalo Gap Trading Post

Cascade Falls

Swim

Laughter

Sage

Family

Feast

Music

Campfire

Stars

Moon rising

Love

Morning

Prairie

Prairie

Prairie dog

Magpie

Pronghorn, running

Pronghorn, still

Wind Cave

Bison

Bison calf

Bison herd

Rehearsal

Laughter

Champagne

Shep’s Canyon Cabin

Family

Feast

Campfire

Stars

Northern Lights

Moon rising

Love

Morning

Prairie

Prairie

Prairie wind

Western Tanager

Foot washing

Ancestors

Prayer for health, vitality, fertility

Antler

Wildflowers

“Be here now,” said the girl at the co-op, looking directly into your eyes

Sun

Shade

Laughter

Gratitude

Cascade Falls

Swim

Wild horses, waiting

Cheyenne River

Sundance

Tree of Life

Waistcoat

Cuff links

Drum

Eagle Feathers

Dance

Ivory Lace

Veil, blowing in the Wind

Old beaded rose garter belt

New Calfskin Boots

Borrowed Necklace

Blue Sapphire earrings

Sixpence

Wildflowers

Call to prayer

Smudging

Water blessing

Freedom

Bison skull

Bison hide blanket

Poem

Song

Blessing

Two Pillars

Vows

Wasna, homemade

Slender gold mobius strip rings

"I marry you for the good of my soul"

Kiss

Ululation

Laughter

Champagne

Champagne Saber

Toasts

Crescent table for 140 guests

Feast

Dancing

"I Want to Be With You Always"

Bunting, homemade

Salsa called Wild Mustang

More toasts

Dancing

Campfire

Poetry

Stars

Moon rising

Love

Morning

Prairie

Prairie

Prairie sky