of the information we needed about life, about rituals could be found in our dreams. She knew now her dreams were of the Badlands and Black Hills because the details matched the reality of these places. Even specific formations had been in her dreams for years. But there were also other places she dreamt of which she knew were real places she would eventually find. Joe said, “Dreams are our strongest ally and our weakest defense.� Joe attributed all his powers and knowledge to his dreams. She had begun to feel the same of hers. Before the fourth and last round of the sweat lodge Joe asked her to sing one of his favorite songs that she had written called Sweatlodge: Sweatlodge I. People lift off and leave Go to speak with clouds and breeze With spirits crawling in the trees Water kisses all their leaves Roots hidden in Bear Butte Telling dreams and visions Can bring us new life Where we cannot hide People lift off and leave Go to speak With clouds and breeze Water kisses all our fears Making them all disappear Transformed by smoke and love They change into courage People lift off and leave Go to speak With clouds and breeze Let the bright sun blind us Entering a new world Let our love embrace us As we dry off and smile Me and the Butte
People lift off and leave Go to speak With clouds and breeze When the fourth round was over, she was completely drenched in sweat with the desert firmly imbedded under her