Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MOODS, by DAVID O'NEIL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MOODS, by                    
First Line: On a lone hillside
Last Line: To your madness.
Subject(s): Native Americans; Indians Of America; American Indians; Indians Of South America


I

AN ASTRONOMER

On a lone hillside
A navajo shepherd
Wrapt in his blanket,
Hugged his knees,
Dreamed into the night --
A wisp of a crescent,
A sky full of stars --
In his thought
He was asking:
"Do my lanterns
Shine up to the stars?"

II

A VASE OF CHINESE IVORY

In the museum
It had no name:
It was only the life work
Of one almond-eyed heathen --
Just one of a million!
Look closer
And you will see
A soul,
Unique and beautiful!

III

MESSAGES

He plodded along
The deep-rutted road,
The old farmer,
Face as red as sumach,
Wind-colored;
Happy.
The bee-drone hum
Of wires overhead
Was song and laughter to him.
Yet the wires were laden
With messages of strife, and sorrow, and sin.

IV

THE HEIGHTS

Alone,
On a high mountain trail;
I drew strength from out the sky;
My thoughts went out
Like my shadow at sunset:
I grew great as my shadow at sunset.

V

SOLITUDE

Youth!
If there be madness
In your soul,
Go to the mountain solitudes
Where you can grow up
To your madness.





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