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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A YOUNG CHIEF RETURNS, by ELEANOR G. R. YOUNG First Line: I have returned unto my ancient mesa Last Line: "I am home!" Subject(s): Homecoming; Native Americans; Travel; Indians Of America; American Indians; Indians Of South America; Journeys; Trips | |||
I have returned unto my ancient mesa. Oh, Sun, pour down your golden warmth upon me; Oh, Rain, caress my burning eager face,— At last, I have come Home! After sojourning in the White Man's cities, After delving into his store of knowledge, I have, at last, come Home! Night after night, shut in a boxlike room, I have heard the wind sweep through this narrow canyon; Heard the slim birches bend their silvery heads Like fluttering music brushing through the air; Heard the coyote give his lonely call And closed my eyes upon the scene before me— The narrow bed, the scarred oak bureau, The old slat-rocker in the eastern window, The student lamp upon the table, The pile of dog-eared books lying beside it— (Books that contained the White Man's way of learning) Closed my eyes on them all, And looked once more Upon this ancient land— My people's heritage! What have I learned in books? Have I learned how the eagle builds her nest And soars with fearless freedom out of sight? Have I learned how to reach my peoples' heart And lift from it the shame of vanished hopes? Oh, I will rest tonight beneath the stars: I cannot go unto my people yet Full of the White Man's customs; I cannot take them words to comfort them. After the stars Have shone on me all night And washed my heart of all its pettiness, I can fling wide my arms Unto my people. Then they will know I have returned to them, Bringing the best of all that I have learned To share with them; Leaving behind the things we cannot use And bearing in my heart a ringing song— "I have returned, my people, I am Home!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RICHARD, WHAT'S THAT NOISE? by RICHARD HOWARD LOOKING FOR THE GULF MOTEL by RICHARD BLANCO RIVERS INTO SEAS by LYNDA HULL DESTINATIONS by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN THE ONE WHO WAS DIFFERENT by RANDALL JARRELL THE CONFESSION OF ST. JIM-RALPH by DENIS JOHNSON SESTINA: TRAVEL NOTES by WELDON KEES TO H. B. (WITH A BOOK OF VERSE) by MAURICE BARING AFRICAN VIOLETS by ELEANOR G. R. YOUNG |
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