http://monazimba.bloguez.com/monazimba/ ... gesse-Hopi
Introduction to Native American Oral Poetry
by K. L. Nichols
In traditional Native American cultures, poems (more properly called "songs") were usually created for tribal occasions such as initiation rites, healings ceremonies, and planting or hunting rituals. The songs could also be used to pass on tribal history, standards of ethical conduct, and religious beliefs to other members of the tribe. Usually the songs were rhythmically chanted or sung in a tribal context to drums or musical accompaniment.
To tribal singers, words could magically connect them with the supernatural forces in all of nature. Rather than describing a present-tense scene, the singers often projected themselves into the future by "visualizing" the outcome they hoped to produce or by identifying with, for example, the rain cloud or the buffalo irresistibly attracted (hopefully) to the singer's powerful song-words.
Economy of language was also common in traditional Native American oral poetry, as can be seen in this superb two-line poem "Spring Song" (Chippewa):
As my eyes search the prairie
I feel the summer in the spring.
from George W. Cronyn, The Path on the Rainbow (1918)
http://members.cox.net/academia/songs.html
that written, here's an excerpt of a poem I feel like sharing with those who read.
Peter Ingestad aka Kraxpelax who wrote it called it Sonnets For Katie
nothing sells like Sex'n Shame disaster.
Go far enough, and you will catch some eyes
– might even win that VERY Nob-le Prii-ize!"
XVII
"These words observe our abject walk",
I said to Katie, "now's their season
of shiny sand…" – She said: "Now, that's the talk,
so rich with feeling and devoid of reason…
walk on please, you've already caught my ear,
I stay enthralled…" – "These gates and their reflection,
like burning water, this compulsion, hear
my call…" – "Sure thing, I'll cure your imperfection
and make us TWO about it, huh? Poe-tree,
it branches out, alright…" I sighed: "You're funny,
honeybunny, aren't you… PLEASE make me see
myself instead and make day real sunny…"
http://singleswingle.blogspot.com/