Granite hooves churned
crystalline waters as the
mouse-haired po-no-kah mita
rose whinnying from the
underwater lodge of the
Water Spirit.
The lone Piikani warrior
approached, rawhide
rope held deftly in hands
sinewy as the rope itself.
A reedy voice of a very
old man called out from
the water’s depths as the
Water Spirit spoke,
“These gifts I give to
the People. They are
your brothers.
They will carry you to
the buffalo hunt,
drag your lodges from
camp to camp and
protect you from your
enemies.”
Ancient hands then swept
from west to east across
the lake as Chinook
winds blew a rainbow
across these strange creatures.
The warrior looked upon
the magnificent animals,
each one now painted a
different color.
With trepidation, he snared
the palomino with his rope
and led this herd of elk dogs
back to the People.
They would live as brothers
from that day forward.
Author notes
Piikani - a member tribe of the Blackfoot Confederacy, residing in Southern Alberta. Also known as the Peigan.
Po-no-kah mita - Blackfoot for horse, literally translates to Elk Dog.
This is my take on the Piikani legend of how the horse came to the People.
This was inspired by the picture featured for the contest
http://allpoetry.com/contest/2378854
As with all my poetry, I appreciate constructive feedback so that I can improve as a writer. Please give it to me straight, I'm a big boy, I can take it.
In a list
A contest entry
- A Gathering by CarolDesjarlais.
700 points, ended November 21, 2007, 8 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Animal by Thoughts-of-Soloman.
1800 points, ended September 23, 2008, 20 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - The Love of Horses! by kareneisenlord.
1800 points, ended February 27, 29 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 30 of 30
-
This is so interesting and beautiful, thank you!
-
Lovely imagery of the horse and the indians, both being first. Blessings.
-
Very good!
This is an excellent tale of how the first horse came to America, as a gift from the Water Spirit to the Native Indians. In a way it is true, because the horses first came over from Spain on ships - from the water. But, there is a lot of controversy about this and there is speculation that a type of horse may have already been here, and that the horse may have arrived here much earlier.
I really liked reading this. I appreciate your entry and best wishes to you! -
I love your great sensitivity toward the legends of the tribes people. Your great understanding of their ways and your closeness and love of nature combines well within a talent for writing. Another lovely and informative read.
-
I have a fascination for Native American culture and similar stories and legends, which most often have something timeless to say about our heritage as a global tribe and what it is to be human.
The magic of words retaining a mystique, which are not so easily pigeon-holed, enable us to open up and expand the way we hold sentiments for deeper meanings than we may otherwise give thought about.
I believe that here you display some of this for us. Such writing may well continue the life of rich windows into a more sensitive appreciation of the position man is in regarding the world he has been given.
Thank you for bringing the Piikani and his Elk Dogs back to the people again!
A wonderful write!
Sol
-
Thank you for this entry... I much like this and will comment later.
-
lol, there's not really anything i can criticize. good job and good luck
-
Excellent
A very interesting and enjoyable read---I enjoy your talent !!
-
Excellent poem, I love your work
-
Ohhhh how I've missed your stories!! Love it! Love it, love it!!! Love the shiney too! Well deserved. You really have a wonderful style you can call your own and as always it is my pleasure to read it
~Tia
-
This is awesome, I feel the heart and soul in this. I love this story..it sings.
-
"Ancient hands then swept
from west to east across
the lake as Chinook
winds blew a rainbow
across these strange creatures."
I love the imagery in this, very beautiful, such a creative poem/idea/story for the prompt, I saw this picture and wondered what I would write, you captured the theme of the contest well, this is excellent, congrats on the well deserved silver.
-
Very intersting intake of a historical event..you did wonderful job..thank you for your author comment..it made me go back and read one more time your poem..great job
Amarige
-
a beautiful piece of poetry. ive always loved native americans and the history and read everything i can on it but this was just gorgeous...
hugs,
feral,
xxx -
Lovely description. The first and sixth stanzas were my favorites. I love mythology and I love poetry; your combination of the two is excellent. Great job!
-
Good
To primitive men the world surrounding them was full of mistery. They were full of awe. Yet to develop scientific reasoning they tried to explain these misteries by legends made through imagination and not through speculation. This was their science. They were like children. This poem is a good example of the myth-making power of primitive men. An unusual poem on an unusual theme. Enjoyed very much. -
bravo
A rather wonderful and dream like, mythic piece of poetry here! Loved it, loved it, absolutely loved it! bravo... bravo... bravo...
-
this poem has a mystical quality to it. I could see the vivid images you painted so well through my mind's eye. You my dear should write a book. You have the talent for it and I dare say, it seems as this is something that could bring your great happiness as well as your readers. You are quite good indeed.
-
Very different nd unique style.. loved the expression "as Chinook
winds blew a rainbow
across these strange creatures."
And, congratulations on winning trophy... keep penning
-
First congratulation of your winning trophy. I think this piece is stellar. I can tell you are from the west. Like the wild wild west, cowboys, hats, boots and stuff like that. I think one has to live a certain life in order to create such a ravelling piece. Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing
-
Superb/intriguing
A rather fine write, me thinks, with excellent imagery.
-
I knew it was you......only someone who lives, loves, and has learned from that exact land could know to write such...bravo my neighbor friend.
-
You write of home.... you tell the story I know by heart.... and part of my song that was given to me..
Pita, ponokahmita, nanastiko..... eagle, horse, old chief mountain...
Beautifully penned, informative, and true... -
I love the timeless, almost bardic, quality of this, Rory. You are a born story-teller and I am a willing listener.
Bill
-
thanks for sharing
-
i love this piece... dont change a word of it. who knows... it could become a legend in years to come
hugs,
georgie,
xxx -
You portrayed how the horses came to you people beautifully.I never knew the story.It's a wonderful piece of writing and I totally enjoyed your words.You have a great ability to portray your intake on things that you interpret.Please always keep writing it would be such a shame if you ever stopped.Anyways thanks for teaching something I never knew and for letting me read such a fantastic piece of work.
-
Elk Dogs
Well written composition and interesting spin off from the influence of the conquistadors' escaped elk dogs and their northern progress over the years between Columbus and the Mayflower ...
each one now painted a
different color. yet each reflected on the water's sheen indelibly
-
You are indeed a storyteller. Your words were rich and full of beauty. My best wishes to you in this contest.
Margaret
-
"Ancient hands then swept
from west to east across
the lake as Chinook
winds blew a rainbow
across these strange creatures."
Gorgeous & wise, my Friend. A lovely penning to send me off to slumberland. Good luck in Carol's contest, Scribe. G'night. 
Wanda
Adding your comment:
1 - 30 of 30
