– Tȟašúŋke Wíiya – WíyakA ’n‘ Kola –
by David Stern
In the dust of the ruins of the Iron Curtain, a rebel sets out on a transformative journey to the majestic Black Hills. Unknowingly on his way to meet his dream woman, Tȟašúŋke Wíiya he’ll dive into a world rich in cultural depth and spiritual connection. As he holds her hand, he hears the voices of the ancestors guiding him to discover his true self.
This is a story about the search for identity, overcoming trauma, and the power of love that transcends cultures. In the Black Hills, freedom awaits him, along with the chance to rediscover dreams he thought were lost.
Tȟašúŋke Wíiya – a captivating tale of closeness, hope, and the magic of encounter. This work is the eponymous storybook for the album „Tȟašúŋke Wíiya: When the Ancestors Watch You – ÍyA Niyá zíya tȟašína,“ which is now available on all the popular streaming platforms.
WíyakA hiyú, Atze! (Su‘)
Let’s Do It, Atze!
As the Berliner Dave walks hand in hand
With his gal Thasunke
Toward the saloon,
They had no idea
What was about to go down…
In the Black Hills, the sun shines bright,
Kola and Wíiya dancing, feeling just right.
“Hey, Thasunke, where’s your beer, partner?”
“Hold on, my friend, here it comes, smooth as a charmer!”
„Meista, mach ma ma eene Pilsette, wa!“
„Waaa!“
WíyakA hiyú, Atze, let’s laugh together,
“Let’s have a good time, and make worries lighter!”
“C’mon, dance with me, let’s party till dawn,
Tonight’s the night, let’s take it on!”
„Atze!“
The shaman dances, folks are feeling fine,
Everyone knows we’re living divine.
“What’s up, my friend? Are we ready to roll?”
“I’m all in, let’s celebrate our goal!”
„Nee, nee, musste so mach’n, wa!“
„Waaa!“
WíyakA hiyú, Atze, let’s laugh together,
“Let’s have a good time, and make worries lighter!”
“C’mon, dance with me, let’s party till dawn,
Tonight’s the night, let’s take it on!”
„Atze!“
The ancestors smile, they’re with us tonight,
“Raise your glass, drink with me, feel the light!”
From the hills to the starry sky,
Together we sing, you and I.
„Nu quatsch da ma keen Zahn locka, Keule!“
„Waaa, Keule!“
WíyakA hiyú, Atze, let’s laugh together,
“Let’s have a good time, and make worries lighter!”
“C’mon, dance with me, let’s party till dawn,
Tonight’s the night, let’s take it on!”
„Atze!“
„Wattn, soll ick helfn komm‘, oda wat?“
„Oda wat?“
„Atze!“
„The Shadows of San Diego“
After they left the immediate danger behind, Dave and Tȟašúŋke cruised through the streets of San Diego at a fast clip. This city, once a dream of a new life, had turned into a place full of threats. The memories of the opportunities they sought seemed blurred in the harsh reality of the alleys.
“You know,” Dave started after a while, as they passed the bustling streets and the ocean, “I once thought about movin’ here. Thought it’d be the perfect spot to start fresh.”
Tȟašúŋke looked at him, her eyes shining with understanding. “There’s a big difference between a dream and reality, ain’t there?”
“Exactly,” Dave replied, as he maneuvered the Dodge RAM through a narrow street. “I thought it’d be a place full of possibilities, but now all I see are shadows and dangers.”
“We ain’t given up,” Tȟašúŋke shot back, keeping her eyes focused ahead. “And we ain’t gonna give up, no matter what happens.”
In that moment, they noticed the atmosphere had shifted. The smell of fresh ocean air mixed with the city’s haze. But as they ventured further into the darker corners of San Diego, the mood grew heavier.
Eventually, they found a secluded parking spot behind an old, rundown café, where they could discuss their next steps. Dave parked the Dodge RAM, and they got out to grab some fresh air and collect their thoughts.
“What do we do now?” Dave asked as they sat on one of the old park benches.
“We gotta find out who’s behind the gangsters,” Tȟašúŋke said determinedly. “There’s more than just the guys who attacked us. We need to figure out who’s pullin’ the strings.”
In the stillness of the park, they felt the weight of the city around them. It wasn’t the sunny beach town Dave had once imagined. Instead, it was a place filled with shadows and unfulfilled dreams.
“I never thought I’d end up in a place like this,” Dave murmured, looking down.
“These are the challenges that shape us,” Tȟašúŋke replied. “We gotta prove ourselves and find our place, no matter where we are.”
Just as they began to flesh out their plans, they noticed a group of men standin’ on the other side of the street, watchin’ them. Dave’s heart skipped a beat. “Those are the guys from earlier!”
“Easy,” Tȟašúŋke whispered, lookin’ at him intently. “Let’s stay in the shadows and not draw attention.”
The gangsters turned around as Tȟašúŋke and Dave kept quiet in the cover of the café. But suddenly, a police car rolled up in their direction. Dave’s stomach dropped when he saw the letters “FBI.” “Oh no, we’re gonna get arrested!”
Before they could react, several FBI agents jumped out of the car and rushed toward them. “Stay where you are! Hands up!” shouted one of the agents.
Dave and Tȟašúŋke exchanged looks, shock washing over them. “What did we do?” Tȟašúŋke asked as she raised her hands.
“You’re connected to a gang-related robbery!” shouted another agent. “We need to question you!”
They were taken into custody and put in the agents‘ vehicle, while the other gangsters quickly withdrew. In that moment, they felt the shadows of the city close in on them, and reality crashed down on their dreams.
„With Ya‘ Gun“
Hey, I only have four pages left in my book
What words did I come up with for this?
In a nutshell you want to tell me
what we experienced together
although we never have, remember?
Remember me
Remember mom
Remember dad
Remember all the others
to all the others you’ve ever met.
The fire extinguisher in my face
Your fist to boot
Did you really think I’d put up with this?
At some point I fought back
and slammed you onto your table.
No, I’m not sorry, believe me!
Think about it in your today’s skull,
how mum and dad felt
when you pulled the gun
Really every one of us felt threatened.
I then did that
Are you mad?
Now you’re dead, I heard about it.
What happened brother?
Did you provoke the others too?
Remember me
Remember mom
Remember dad
Remember all the others
to all the others you’ve ever met.
(c) 2024, David Stern, Poem Records – www.david-stern.com