I dreamed the animals
brought forth each character
I sang the incantations
brought forth your stories
I tamed the mountain
brought forth every peak
I courted the moon
brought forth her light
solitary trickster
intelligent fool
my antics amuse
my ferocity quickens
my predator’s blood,
front facing eyes echo
your passions and appetites
I contain no remorse
but birth it
I show no mercy
but inspire it
I will nothing . . .
create and destroy
give and negate
in the hidden shrine
of the Taiga
tearing caribou flesh
hunting the weak
hunting the strong
I am the shaman
of the North
carrion feeder
I fight the bear
I fight the wolves
I traverse the cold
immense miles of cold
silent ice worlds
disturbed only by
the terrible cries
of this impulsive creature
Kuekuatsheu
kway-kwah-choo
Carcajou
koo-a-koo-ott-soo
say my name in
my presence
let your tongue
raise your voice to
the northern lights
within the shaking tent
we contact the spirits
my Innu atanukanas
sing songs of a people
sing songs of everything
I brought into being
Note: This poem was written in response to Victoria’s prompt at dVerse Poets Pub on anaphora poems and utilizes anaphora and epiphora. The title and poem refer to a very famous poem, The Tyger!, by William Blake.
I love this .. so atmospheric… and living in the outskirts of the taiga I can relate to it a litlle. I will go north later in the summer and usually you meet Sami or at least their rein-deer… loved the refrence to Blake.
oh dang…i like…would love to hear it as well…my fav stanza is the one on i have no remorse/mercy….and that last bit singing into being…very cool…the names too…i like….well done anna…another fresh perspective on the poetics too…
Wonderful incorporation of myth, poetry, and nature’s destructive/creative circle. So very glad you chose this to share with us, Anna.
Such a pace, and so suspenseful! I can hear it. Really a stunning poem!
I really appreciate your poetry in language I understand… this flows perfectly!
I love this!
Fantastic! The rhythm and pacing quickened my pulse and propelled me forward in the read and the langauge, cultural lesson and the very primal feel of the scene plain kicks butt. Enjoyed.
You have really rocked the prompt, Anna.
I want to study the pieces side by side. When I read your first and last lines with each other, I get all tingly. So clear, so tactile. Brilliant, every word.
Kuekuatsheu
kway-kwah-choo
Carcajou
koo-a-koo-ott-soo
say my name in
my presence…. wow…shivers..what a very cool piece anna…love the whole mood in this as well
loved the feel of ritual and the litany in this beautiful work – wonderful, Ana – K
It’s amazing that there are elements that can wield influence and power over others using fear! This happens all the time. Check and balance is necessary otherwise bad elements go unheeded. Great write Anna!
Hank
You mention Blake, but the poem has a Whitmanesque feel to me – with the repetition – well done k.
I like the exploration into animal spirits. Vicious little creature, that wolverine.
this is stunning and quite entrancing. it definitely sucked me in. I think the repetition help in that matter.
I love the tribal feel of this, like drumbeats far off in the night. I have missed my visits here.