I could have fought like Fox who can see behind him,
Who can bite even while running away, or like Owl
Who will hide deep in his hollow but will not surrender.

I could have thought like Snake who only waits to be told
Belong to this place where you are sleeping to stay quiet
But who strikes what comes toward him till he is broken.

But I must rush at my enemy like Bear Mother and Badger
Who know already how to sleep under the ground, or Wolverine
Who will not turn away, who will fight even with Earthmaker.

Now I am running on the shore toward the Iron People,
Toward their smoke and firesticks, against their spitting stones.
I am running faster than Dragonfly who needs to sing nothing.

I am running toward them on the shore forever, singing this.