Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CANOE SONG, by IDA STERNFELS First Line: Straight as an arrow Last Line: Weaving my burial blanket. Subject(s): Canoes And Canoeing; Native Americans; Indians Of America; American Indians; Indians Of South America | ||||||||
Straight as an arrow Shot from the bow of a god I stood a giant. Eagle eyes marked me, With glory at heart I fell, Chosen for the Chief's canoe; Deft hands burned and slashed, They carved, they painted me, And made a thing of beauty. Proudly I've carried my Master Into the battle's fury and din, Mid joyous yells, triumphant, Through misty fog with lagging paddles, Slinking in the shadow of coves, Silent, defeated and sad, Death triumphant. Gallant braves have wooed their loves In the quiet of my shadow. War cries and dirges I've heard, Harvest songs and lullabies. Oh, thou tragedy of time! Broken the drums, forgotten the warriors! Now I am dying on a lonely beach. The night wind chants my death song. Slowly the tide washes the sand, Weaving my burial blanket. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE OLD INDIAN by ARTHUR STANLEY BOURINOT SCHOLARLY PROCEDURE by JOSEPHINE MILES ONE LAST DRAW OF THE PIPE by PAUL MULDOON THE INDIANS ON ALCATRAZ by PAUL MULDOON PARAGRAPHS: 9 by HAYDEN CARRUTH THEY ACCUSE ME OF NOT TALKING by HAYDEN CARRUTH |
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