Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHINOOK SQUAW, by BLANCHE DEGOOD LOFTON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHINOOK SQUAW, by                    
First Line: She stands at sundown, there upon the mountain
Last Line: Who buys her wares, buys not alone red berries.
Subject(s): Markets; Supermarkets


She stands at sundown, there upon the mountain,
Where trail and highway cross, and gazes westward;
Upon her head, a patterned squaw-grass basket
Bright-brimmed with scarlet berries, waxen-sparkling!
With dusty skirts, and moccasins dust-covered,
From ash and pumice of volcanic ridges,
Where tourists pause to view the towering summit,
She offers of the alpine season's fruitage --
Red huckleberries from the snow-capped mountain.

Who buys her wares, buys not alone red berries,
But breath of lupine from the sunning meadows,
The zest of breeze that stirs the drowsing pinon,
The cool and quiet of the sleeping canyon;
The eagle's vista, in his silent soaring,
Enchantment of the cataract's white foaming!
Who barters for red berries, gets full measure
Of stolid Indian-pride and ancient custom! ...
Who buys her wares, buys not alone red berries.





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