So Live Your Life

By: Chief Tecumseh

Art: Sally Mann

So live your life that the fear of death 
can never enter your heart. Trouble 
no one about their religion; respect 
others in their view, and demand 
that they respect yours. 

Love your life, perfect your life, 
beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long 
and its purpose in the service 
of your people. 

Prepare a noble death song for the day 
when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute 
when meeting or passing a friend, even 
a stranger, when in a lonely place. 

Show respect to all people 
and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning 
give thanks for the food and for 
the joy of living. 

If you see no reason for giving thanks, 
the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse 
no one and no thing, for abuse turns 
the wise ones to fools and robs 
the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, 
be not like those whose hearts 
are filled with the fear of death, 
so that when their time comes 
they weep and pray for a little 
more time to live their lives 
over again in a 
different way. 

Sing your death song and die 
like a hero going home.

---

If Poetic Outlaws has become a welcome part of your reading life, I hope you’ll consider becoming a PAID subscriber. Your support does more than unlock additional essays, recommendations, and exclusive content—it makes this work possible.

Paid subscriptions give me the time to read more deeply, write more thoughtfully, and continue uncovering the poets, artists, and literary rebels who deserve to be remembered. In a culture that rewards speed, distraction, and nonsense, you’re helping sustain a space devoted to careful reading, beautiful language, and enduring ideas.

If this newsletter has informed, inspired, or simply given you a moment of joy each week, becoming a paid subscriber is one of the most meaningful ways you can help keep Poetic Outlaws thriving.

Thank you all so much.