Postage

Section 5 Dance for a New Millenium Chapter 2

The years pass and the Ghost Dance prophet is no longer famous. No longer are dances being held in his name as thousands of people move rhythmically to the drums on several reservations simultaneously. No longer do all the dancers shout out his name in unison as their prayers attempt to ascend the wall of stars climbing into heaven. People no longer believe in his miracles. He is a former messiah. It must be an odd thing to put on a resume.

The Ghost Dance prophet is no longer famous, but he is far from forgotten. Every time the mail arrives it carries bags and bags of mail for Wovoka. There are so many letters and packages that Wovoka should start a stamp collection. Wovoka runs a mail order ministry sending out eagle and magpie feathers, bottles of red paint in exchange for gifts and monetary donations. Wovoka is no longer famous, and he likes it that way. The letters come in giant bags stuffed full of mail, but he reads them one at a time, reciting a prayer and a blessing for each one.

Wovoka is no longer famous, but he is far from forgotten and sometimes Wovoka travels to the conglomeration of reservations in the Oklahoma Territory. As quietly as possible a gathering is arranged and people drum, dance, and sing. They do not perform the Ghost Dance — that ritual has been criminalized. Wovoka greets people, listens to their problems, and tries to give them hope. He chants, sings, and prays for a few days before coming back with trunks full of treasure. Wovoka returns home and says the prayers he has promised to say, and then he dances all alone in his yard. Wovoka spends all day just dancing alone, singing the prayers he has promised to say, dancing alone all day long and paying postage into heaven.