Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CLIFF OF THE CEDAR TREE by RICHARD FORSTER

First Line: OOWAN-NANAWAM-ANOON-ATROC
Last Line: "ON THE CLIFF OF THE CEDAR TREE."
Subject(s): NATIVE AMERICANS; INDIANS OF AMERICA; AMERICAN INDIANS; INDIANS OF SOUTH AMERICA;
"Oowan-nanawam-anoon-atroc,
I pray thee tell to me
Who sits and sings on the blood-red rock
On the Cliff of the Cedar Tree."

"Oh, Tonow-wanod-donon-nodock,
An evil thing it be,
Shun thee the blood-red rock
On the Cliff of the Cedar Tree."

"Wise one, Oowan-nanawam-anoon-atroc,
Such tales cannot frighten me.
I will go to the blood-red rock
On the Cliff of the Cedar Tree."

"Oh, Tonow-wanod-donon-nodock,
I pray thee listen to me.
Death sits and sings on the blood-red rock
On the Cliff of the Cedar Tree."

"Nay, wise one, Oowan-nanawam-anoon-atroc,
Such a thing may not be.
Sweet sang the voice on the blood-red rock
On the Cliff of the Cedar Tree."

Away went Tonow-wanod-donon-nodock,
Away he went to see
Who sat and sang on the blood-red rock
On the Cliff of the Cedar Tree."

It was never told by Tonow-wanod-donon-nodock,
Never a word said he.
They found him dead below the blood-red rock
On the Cliff of the Cedar Tree."

Now listen to Oowan-nanawam-anon-atroc,
Wise woman is she.
She says, "Death sits and sings on the blood-red rock
On the Cliff of the Cedar Tree."

"Till Sajeewo comes with Sawaha-seegagoo-gananock
And they meet with Nahnonee,
Death will sing on the blood-red rock
On the Cliff of the Cedar Tree."

"Then will Hobbobo-momock-omock
Call back his evil spirits three,
That dwell in the blood-red rock
On the Cliff of the Cedar Tree."



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