Customer Reviews

Wishing Bone Cycle: Narrative Poems of the Swampy Cree Indians

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I never met a Swampy Cree but I would like to. The poems are spare, with multiple points of view and sharp humor. One example:

Once there was a duck who lightened up the swamp

I just happened to be there.

"Ho! Lantern on the water!"

some men called.

But the duck said nothing.

It sat deep in the swamp and glowed.

"It's where the sun goes at night!"

one man called, "inside that duck!"

Then he called

"We know you've swallowed the sun, duck.

Let it go, It's near morning!"

But the duck said nothing.

It lightened up the swamp.

Then the men tried to capture the duck.

They grew very quiet, and got close.

Then they leaped toward the duck,

but all they got

was mud in their mouths.

"Look, over there!" one man called.

Then they saw the duck sitting far away

on the water.

It was lighting up the swamp again!

I just happened to be there.

But in the morning we were both gone.