The Road to the Spring: Collected Poems of Mary Austin

Amerindian Songs Re-expressed from the Originals

25 Amerindian Songs Re-expressed from the Originals Heart’s Friend Fair is the white star of twilight And the sky clearer At the day’s end; But she is fairer, And she is dearer, She, my heart’s friend! Fair is the white star of twilight And the moon roving To the sky’s end; But she is fairer, And she is dearer, She, my heart’s friend! From the Paiute. Editor’s Notes Austin titles the poem “The Heart’s Friend (Shoshone Love Song)” in The Path on the Rainbow 223. 26 The Grass on the Mountain Oh, long, long The snow has possessed the mountains. The deer have come down and the big-horn, They have followed the Sun to the south To feed on the mesquite pods and the bunch grass. Loud are the thunder drums In the tents of the mountains. Oh, long, long Have we eaten chia seeds And dried deer’s flesh of the summer killing. We are wearied of our huts And the smoky smell of our garments. We are sick with desire of the sun And the grass on the mountain. From the Paiute. Editor’s Notes Published in Poetry 15 (January 1920): 182-83. The chia plant, Salvia hispanica, produces seeds used for porridge and was a staple of Native Americans in the Southwest. 27 Song for the Passing of a Beautiful Woman Strong sun across the sod can make Such quickening as your countenance! I am more worth for what your passing wakes, Great races in my loins, to you that cry. My blood is redder for your loveliness. From the Paiute. 28 Song for the Passing of Beautiful Women (From the Paiute) Go thy way in comeliness! Strong sun across the sod doth make Such quickening as thy countenance. Pursue thy unguessed errand and pass by; I am more worth for what thy passing wakes, Great races in my loins to thee that cry! My blood is redder for thy loveliness. Prosper; be fair; pass by! Editor’s Notes Path on the Rainbow 222 29 Song for the Newborn To be sung by the one who first takes the child from its mother. Newborn, on the naked sand Nakedly lay it. Next to the earth mother, That it may know her; Having good thoughts of her, the food giver. Newborn, we tenderly In our arms take it, Making good thoughts. House-god, be entreated, That it may grow from childhood to manhood, Happy, contented; Beautifully walking The trail to old age. Having good thoughts of the earth its mother, That she may give it the fruits of her being. Newborn, on the naked sand Nakedly lay it. Grande Pueblos. Editor’s Notes Published in Harper’s, June 1921. The Rio Grande Pueblos live along the Rio Grande River northeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico. 30 Warrior’s Song Weep not for me, Loved Woman, Should I die; But for yourself be weeping! Weep not for warriors who go Gladly to battle. Theirs to revenge Fallen and slain of our people; Theirs to lay low All our foes like them, Death to make, singing. Weep not for warriors, But weep for women! Oh, weep for all women! Theirs to be pitied Most of all creatures, Whose men return not! How shall their hearts be stayed When we are fallen? Weep not for me, Loved Woman, For yourself alone be weeping! 31 The Eagle’s Song Said the Eagle: I was astonished When I heard that there was death. My home, alas, Must I leave it! All beholding summits, Shall I see thee no more! North I went, Leaning on the wind; Through the forest resounded The cry of the hunted doe. East I went, Through the hot dawning; There was the smell of death in my nostrils. South I went, seeking The place where there is no death. Weeping I heard The voice of women Wailing for their children. West I went, On the world-encompassing water; Death’s trail was before me. People, O people, Needs be that we must die! Therefore let us make Songs together. 32 With a twine of songs to bind us To the middle Heaven, The white way of souls. There we shall be at rest, With our songs We shall roam no more! Southern California. Editor’s Notes Published in Poetry, January 1920, 181–82. 33 Young Men’s Song...