C. T. Suddeth

Temple Mound Cre

Once long ago, barren was the Earth,

Shafa, the Moon, leapt into the sky,

Did frighten Tso, Goddess of the Sun,

She bled, two drops plunging to the Earth.

These two drops became man and woman,

Though they were cold and lacked life,

Gyatha’, The One who is Breath, beheld their plight,

Took pity, breathed into them, gave them life.

This pair became the very first Yuchi,

Called themselves Tsoyaha, Children of the Sun.

Ever since, Yuchi climb the Temple Mound,

Give eternal thanks to Tso and Gyatha’.

Yuchi myth inspired this tribute to Temple Mound culture.

Charles Suddeth July 9, 2022