Mapping Indigenous Poetry of North America, 1830-1924

"The Camper" by E. Pauline Johnson

Night 'neath the northern skies, lone, black, and
    grim:
Naught but the starlight lies 'twixt heaven, and 
    him.

Of man no need has he, of God, no prayer;
He and his Deity are brothers there. 

Above his bivouac the firs fling down 
Through branches gaunt and black, their needles
    brown. 
    
Afar some mountain streams, rockbound and fleet
Sing themselves through his dreams in cadence
     sweet,
The pine trees whispering, the heron's cry,
The plover's passing wing, his lullaby. 

And blinking overhead the white stars keep
Watch o'er his hemlock bed—his sinless sleep. 

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