Of Trees and Their Wisdom 2009

Trees are the true elders. Human beings can never equal their wisdom. Trees are blessings. Come to the forest with me, for blessings and to reap of wisdom in the purest state.

When the cedar is gone

Who then, will speak of our spirituality

When the oak is gone

Who then, will speak of our strength

When the maple is gone

Who then, will speak of our generosity

When the birch is gone

Who then, will speak of our creativity

When the pine is gone

Who then, will speak of our legends

Broad Winged Hawk 2007

In Albert’s last book, he wrote a poem to honour a traditional teacher:

From the Blood of my Heart

In the blood of my heart

Are found the words

Of the spirit language

In the blood of my heart

There are many songs

Of good medicine for The Peoples

In the blood of my heart

Are gifts from Great Spirit

And I honour them

In the blood of my heart

As old as time

Are rituals of teaching

And I pray

My mind to know them

O Great Spirit

Who made all things

That are good in life

Hear my words of thanksgiving

Hear my chant

From the blood of my heart

With the Wind and Men of Dust 2001

Albert wrote this poem for daughters at the time of teenage years:

When I Look At You

When I look at you

I see a strong woman

Wise beyond her years

I see you dance with pride

And graceful movement

That quells my spirit’s fears

I see you bathe

In the fragrance of the sweetgrass

The cedar and the sage

Earnest purification of your being

To prevent an inner rage

I see you shun temptation

When the drum reaches to your ears

When I look at you

I see a strong woman

Wise beyond her years

Councils of Encouragement 1994

Albert’s first book was written to assist people who are beginning their life of sobriety and give encouragement to those wishing to start on their healing journey. The first poem Albert ever wrote is featured in this book:

The Path My Children Travel

Year by year, I walked my trail of tears

My spirit slept during my drinking years

Then one day

When I stood barefoot on a road of gravel

It came to me

That I make the path my children would travel

I asked myself

Who has a life to be thrown away

Who would want the hearts

Of their children to hurt someday

The examples we set

Deserve no cries of cheer

When our spirit sleeps, year by year