By Ruth Margaret
Muskrat
Light
and airy are the footsteps
Of
Walleah—of my squaw;[1]
And
her laugh is like the gurgling
Of
the crystal Spavinaw.[2]
And
her smile is like the blessing
Of
the Master Manitou;[3]
But
her frown is like the Vengeance
To
the sinful, he doth show.
Black
as night, in heavy tresses
Falls
her long and braided hair;
Swimming
pools of midnight blackness
Are
her eyes that dance or dare.
And
her cheeks with red are glowing
Like
the wild bronze turkey's wing;
And
as heralds to her coming,
All
the birds in gladness sing.
Gentle
moon, shine on caressing
While
Walleah sweetly sleeps,
Lullabies,
the leaves are singing,
And
the shy deer softly creeps
Through
the trees--a fleeting shadow,
Lest
she break stern silence low,
And
disturb the pleasant dreaming
Of
Walleah—of my squaw.