Badger Clark, 'Cottonwood Leaves'

[duathir.livejournal.com]

Cottonwood Leaves

Red firelight on the Sioux tepees,
(Oh, the camp-smoke down the wind!)
Red firelight on the cottonwood trees
That clap, clap, clap in the dry night breeze.
(Oh, the camp-smoke down the wind!)

Red-skinned braves in the circling dance,
(Oh, the bright sparks toward the stars!)
The moccasined feet that stamp and prance,
And the brandished knife and the lifted lance.
(Oh, the bright sparks toward the stars!)

Eagle plumes in the swirling troop,
(Oh, the wild flames leaping high!)
And the painted bodies ramp and stoop
To the drum's hot thump and the vaunting whoop.
(Oh, the wild flames leaping high!)

Back where the darkness drops its veil,
(Oh, the sad smoke drifting low!)
The far wolves howl and the widows wail
For the graveless dead on the grim war trail.
(Oh, the sad smoke drifting low!)

Night on the plains, and the dreams it weaves,
(Oh, the embers black and cold!)
Where painted ghosts with the step of thieves
Dance to the clap of the cottonwood leaves.
(Oh, the embers black and cold!)

by Badger Clark