Changing Is Not Vanishing: A Collection of American Indian Poetry to 1930

Boarding School Poems

Boarding School Poems: Adin C. Gibbs 223 lBOA R D I N G S C H O O L P O E M S l Adin C. Gibbs, Delaware (Lenape), born about 1797 A Munsee Delaware, Adin C. Gibbs was born in Pennsylvania, where he worked as a clothier until 1818, when he left for the Cornwall Foreign Mission School in Connecticut . Gibbs’s classmates at the Cornwall School came from many countries and included John Ridge (father of John Rollin Ridge, whose poetry appears in this volume) and Israel Folsom (whose poetry also appears in this volume). Gibbs’s poem about the Cornwall School is his only known poem. He was a well-liked student and a powerful public speaker. After completing school in 1822, he worked among the Choctaw in Mississippi as a missionary and schoolteacher. (Foreman, Proske, and Schmidt) l The Cornwall Seminary Now in Connecticut there stands, On Cornwall’s low and pleasant lands, A school composed of foreign youth, For propagating gospel truth. And on this consecrated ground Are those from many nations round; But mostly of the Cherokees, The Angloes, and the Owhyhees. The languages are now thirteen; Twelve nations here likewise are seen, 10 And students thirty-two are found, From regions of remotest bound. But charity’s propitious hand, Which traverses o’er sea and land, To seek for good, and lend her care, Has brought these various nations here. [1822] 8 Owhyhees: Hawaiians. 224 Boarding School Poems: Corrinne l Corrinne, Cherokee Corrinne was the pen name of a student at the Cherokee Female Seminary. l Our Wreath of Rose Buds I. We offer you a wreath of flowers Culled in recreation hours, Which will not wither, droop, or die, Even when days and months pass by. II. Ask you where these flowers are found? Not on sunny slope, or mound; Not on prairies bright and fair Growing without thought or care. III. No, our simple wreath is twined From the garden of the mind; 10 Where bright thoughts like rivers flow And ideas like roses grow. IV. The tiny buds which here you see Ask your kindly sympathy; View them with a lenient eye, Pass each fault, each blemish by. V. Warmed by the sunshine of your eyes, Perhaps you’ll find to your surprise, Their petals fair will soon unclose, And every bud become—a Rose. 20 VI. Then take our wreath, and let it stand An emblem of our happy band; The Seminary, our garden fair, And we, the flowers planted there. VII. Like roses bright we hope to grow, And o’er our home such beauty throw Boarding School Poems: Lily Lee 225 In future years—that all may see Loveliest of lands,—the Cherokee. [1854] l Lily Lee, Cherokee Lily Lee was the pen name of a student at the Cherokee Female Seminary. Perhaps her poem puts a playful twist on an event at the seminary or on some other event in the Cherokee Nation. l Literary Day Among the Birds Dark night at last had taken its flight, Morn had come with her earliest light; Her herald, gray dawn, had extinguished each star, And gay banners in the east were waving afar. That lovely goddess, Beautiful Spring, Had fanned all the earth with her radiant wing; “Had calmed the wild winds with fragrant breath,” And gladden’d nature with an emerald wreath. Within the precincts of the Bird Nation, All was bustle and animation; 10 For that day was to witness a literary feast, Where only Birds were invited guests. The place of meeting was a leafy nook, Close by the side of a sparkling brook. Soon were assembled a merry band, Birds from every tree in the land. Mrs. Dove came first, in soft colors drest; Then Mr. Canary, looking his best. The family of Martins, dressed in brown, And Mr. Woodpecker, with his ruby crown. 20 The exercises opened with a scientific song, By the united voices of the feathered throng. Then was delivered a brilliant oration, By ’Squire RAVEN, the wisest bird of the nation. Master WHIP-POOR-WILL next mounted the stage, Trying to look very much like a sage. 226 Boarding School Poems: N. Eight pretty green Parrots then spoke with art; Though small, with credit they carried their part. Again an oration by Mr. Quail, Spoken as fast as the gallop of snail. 30 And lastly, Sir BLACKBIRD...