Dawnland Voices: An Anthology of Indigenous Writing from New England

Molly Spotted Elk

223 Molly Spotted Elk (1903–1977) One of the most intriguing public figures of the early twentieth century, Molly Spotted Elk (born Mary Alice Nelson) left Indian Island when she was a teenager to dance in New York nightclubs and in Texas vaudeville. She got a starring role in The Silent Enemy (1930), a silent film in which she played an Ojibwe woman in love with a warrior played by Sylvester Long, another celebrity, then known as Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance. In the 1930s, like many other American intellectuals of color, she moved to Paris, where she danced and performed. She married journalist Jean Archambaud and fled France with her daughter during the war. Amid all of this, Spotted Elk was also an avid writer and indefatigable researcher. She wrote down traditional indigenous stories she had heard while growing up and was reportedly working on a novel when she died. Her poems—often idiosyncratic in their spelling, punctuation, and spacing—are housed in the Maine Folklife Center at the University of Maine–Orono; few have been previously published and most are undated. We’re In the Chorus Now Aztec Days— We are the famous Aztec Girls³ You’ve heard so much about We’re noted for our happy smiles And for our dancing too. Most everybody likes us We hope you’ll like us too. As we go dancing And old Kirk begins to play You can hear them saying The Aztec Girls are surely Just the thing! 224 penobscot A Russian Mystery She was the lily, fair and white With golden curls and wistful eyes She was a fairy in the light A mystery, enshrouded in lies. Lilyan, whose lovely face A thing of beauty Led the line, to grace In loveliness and duty. The Rascal Audrey, whose petite being And twinkling arts Childish outbursts And supple back Was the kid and acrobat. The Singing Deceiver Mabelle, who was like a chameleon And whose tongue mellowed With bitter and sweet words. The Gold Digger Ruth, whose shapely figure And superstitious nature Red-haired vamp we called her Had beaus from the smart set And friends from the ranches. Her Pardner Jean, from old St. Louis A champ Charlestoner And St. Louis demonstrator A typical show girl who knew All stage language and tricks And rivaled a parrot for swearing. An English Heather Bloom Violet; the teaser and vivacious Molly Spotted Elk 225 Whose personality beamed And feet that could tap Their size didn’t stop Any pep for a Tiller step— One of the Hipp Girls Who has fallen in love With that light-haired Jackson That witty newsman in front. A Bit of Sweetness Mabel; a lovely flower from New York Her friendships and smiles Are like haunting fragrance That linger after she has gone. Untold Charm Charlotte, there’s beauty in her soul And love shines from her eyes— Who still can blush and graceful be To those who know her well. We Moderns Betty, a damsel from San Antonio Who can pet, and smoke and drink And gain more jolly pounds Than any one I’ve ever known Yet who loves her Billy so She doesn’t know just what to do; —A Rare Book— Gicella is like a rare book Bound in all that is worthwhile By the leather of Intelligence On whose pages one can find Understanding, love and trust— A ballerina, who some day 226 penobscot Will take her name to fame Because its ballet, true she likes And art to her is work and strife. It was up in the morning Rehearsal at ten Down in the ball-room of Gunter Hotel First there was stretching And limbering up Until old Pop Mason Yelled to begin. It’s this and that step We’ll do for today In tempo, let’s keep We’ll try it again. “In line” goes the call We drop into place With faces at front And eyes straight ahead It may be a waltz A buck and a wing A Tiller routine Or the latest thing— Whatever the dance is We pupils watch him And soon be all doing That very same thing. Again and again We’d have to begin From where we just started Beginning to end Essence right and left Then double essence right Reverse the step And give it pep. [3.146.105.194] Project MUSE (2024-04-23 18...