Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, INDIAN SLEEP-SONG, by LEW SARETT


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

INDIAN SLEEP-SONG, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Zhoo ... Zhoo, zhoo
Last Line: Sleep softly till dawn.
Subject(s): Animals; Native Americans; Indians Of America; American Indians; Indians Of South America


Zhoo . . . zhoo, zhoo!
My little brown chief,
The bough of the willow
Is rocking the leaf;
The sleepy wind cries
To you, close your eyes, --
O little brown chief,
Zhoo . . . zhoo, zhoo!

Koo . . . koo, koo!
My little brown bird,
A wood-dove was dreaming
And suddenly stirred;
A brown mother-dove,
Dreaming of love --
O little brown bird,
Koo . . . koo, koo!

Hush . . . hush, hush!
My little brown fawn,
The snow-flakes are falling --
The Winter-men yawn;
They cover with white
Their children tonight --
O little brown fawn,
Hush . . . hush, hush!

Hoo . . . hoo, hoo!
My little brown owl,
Yellow-eyes frightens
Bad spirits that prowl;
For you she will keep
A watch while you sleep --
O little brown owl,
Hoo . . . hoo, hoo!

Zhoo . . . zhoo, zhoo!
O leaf in the breeze.
Koo . . . koo, koo!
Sweet bird in the trees.
Hush . . . hush, hush!
O snow-covered fawn.
Hoo . . . hoo, hoo!
Sleep softly till dawn.





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