Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHAHINKAPA, by F. H. MCMAHON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHAHINKAPA, by                    
First Line: Men of the sioux whose bodies are peacefully resting
Last Line: After the builder a home where his children abide.
Subject(s): Native Americans; Indians Of America; American Indians; Indians Of South America


Men of the Sioux whose bodies are peacefully resting
Under the plumes of the grass that is kin to their warrior pride
Once named their tribesmen now perished in front of our questing
"Dwellers among the leaves by the river side."

The leaves still fall from those ancient trees by the river
And carpet with brown and gold the sinuous curves of its shore,
But the braves of the hunting Dacotahs are heeding the quiver
Or murmuring whisper of falling leaves no more.

Hark ye now where the songs of our three streams meeting
Mingle the twilight tales of the past in their balladry
With hopes that our fathers dreamed as their ships were beating
Westward, westward, over the green of the sea;

The olden time with its savage glamor passes
And the place of leaves by the river is sweet with high refrain
Of music new to welcome the billowing grasses
When April awakens the trees and fields of grain;

No distance can daunt and no lurking of perils bewilder
The faith of the pioneer spirit as brave as our prairie is wide;
After the turbulent hunter there cometh a builder,
After the builder a home where his children abide.





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