Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CANOE SONG, by IDA STERNFELS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CANOE SONG, by                    
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.





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