the chief has spoken; if he comes off the mountain
there will be war.
if he does not come off the mountain then he will think about it
the chief paces about until it is time to sit
ensconced
upon the log;
and so, he shall take his place about the log,
and release the Great Mud Falcon; indeed, that will decide
for should the falcon reek he will arise from the log;
should it pierce the mist as a demon spirit, he shall,
raise his hands to the sky and cry out
AS FROM BENEATH THE TAIL OF A BISON;
BREAK WITH THE WIND
(to the best that we interpret his words)
and so every elder, woman, child
shall descend upon the village below,
with resounding, yea, a deafening cry;
a wail of great battle would ensue
for if village below has incurred the wrath
of the falcon: a great battle must be fought
but as it were, the falcon, fell stillborn
and with great thud; gray as winter sky
it fell upon the ground; behold, the falcon
did not reek: behold:
it lyeth in the mire
as a mound of soot;
drenched with the dew
of a thousand moons.
and so the chief beseecheth his elders;
go hunt; go gather; provide for your young
and he once again takes is place upon the log;
and ponders these things.
