Crow Testament
1
Cain lifts Crow, that heavy black bird
and strikes down Abel.
Damn, says Crow, I guess
this is just the beginning.
2
The white man, disguised
as a falcon, swoops in
and yet again steals a salmon
from Crow's talons.
Damn, says Crow, if I could swim
I would have fled this country years ago.
3
The Crow God as depicted
in all of the reliable Crow bibles
looks exactly like a Crow.
Damn, says Crow, this makes it
so much easier to worship myself.
4
Among the ashes of Jericho,
Crow sacrifices his firstborn son.
Damn, says Crow, a million nests
are soaked with blood.
5
When Crows fight Crows
the sky fills with beaks and talons.
Damn, says Crow, it's raining feathers.
6
Crow flies around the reservation
and collects empty beer bottles
but they are so heavy
he can only carry one at a time.
So, one by one, he returns them
but gets only five cents a bottle.
Damn, says Crow, redemption
is not easy.
7
Crow rides a pale horse
into a crowded powwow
but none of the Indian panic.
Damn, says Crow, I guess
they already live near the end of the world.
Sherman Alexie
1
Cain lifts Crow, that heavy black bird
and strikes down Abel.
Damn, says Crow, I guess
this is just the beginning.
2
The white man, disguised
as a falcon, swoops in
and yet again steals a salmon
from Crow's talons.
Damn, says Crow, if I could swim
I would have fled this country years ago.
3
The Crow God as depicted
in all of the reliable Crow bibles
looks exactly like a Crow.
Damn, says Crow, this makes it
so much easier to worship myself.
4
Among the ashes of Jericho,
Crow sacrifices his firstborn son.
Damn, says Crow, a million nests
are soaked with blood.
5
When Crows fight Crows
the sky fills with beaks and talons.
Damn, says Crow, it's raining feathers.
6
Crow flies around the reservation
and collects empty beer bottles
but they are so heavy
he can only carry one at a time.
So, one by one, he returns them
but gets only five cents a bottle.
Damn, says Crow, redemption
is not easy.
7
Crow rides a pale horse
into a crowded powwow
but none of the Indian panic.
Damn, says Crow, I guess
they already live near the end of the world.
Sherman Alexie
We started with Sherman Alexie and we'll end with him.
American literature traces the American identity from conception (the pre-colonial native nation as well as the first colonists) to what we'll call adulthood.
Looking at this poem, you'll note that it uses a more traditional-looking format. It alludes to The Bible (Testament, etc) as well as native practices and culture of the Crow Indians. A "testament" is proof that something exists or is true; it is instructions for what should happen or did happen.
What is the main idea of the "Crow Testament?" Relate that main idea to what you think Sherman Alexie is trying to say about the "adult" American identity. Consider the relationship between the biblical and native allusions.
American literature traces the American identity from conception (the pre-colonial native nation as well as the first colonists) to what we'll call adulthood.
Looking at this poem, you'll note that it uses a more traditional-looking format. It alludes to The Bible (Testament, etc) as well as native practices and culture of the Crow Indians. A "testament" is proof that something exists or is true; it is instructions for what should happen or did happen.
What is the main idea of the "Crow Testament?" Relate that main idea to what you think Sherman Alexie is trying to say about the "adult" American identity. Consider the relationship between the biblical and native allusions.