In the Land of the Midnight Sun
Long ago, in the fastness of the north
lived a people known as the Inuit.
They lived in perpetual darkness.
Although they had heard of light from Crow
they at first would not believe him.
They made him repeat this fairy tale
many times, for it sparked imagination.
Imagine how long they could hunt.
Imagine seeing polar bear before he saw them.
They begged Crow to find and bring the light.
“But I am too old and daylight is far to the south”.
After much begging the old crow relented.
He flew through many dark miles of the north
and just as he was about to change his mind
he saw light - - - just a speck on the horizon.
Suddenly light burst upon him as the daylight
world exploded around him in brilliance.
He had to stop and rest and comprehend
this wonder of wonders called light.
He noticed the blue sky, the blue stream
and the young girl walking back to a village.
She carried a pail of the blue water as she passed
beneath the tree in which he rested.
Turning into a small speck of dust,
she did not notice Crow as he drifted into her parka.
As they neared the village, Crow saw a young boy
playing with a ball of daylight, bouncing on a string.
Crow flew from her coat, and grabbed the ball.
He flew into the endless blue sky,
the ball of daylight trailing along behind him.
Waiting impatiently, the Inuit saw a tiny speck of light
moving towards them in the darkness.
Soon it grew brighter and brighter
and Crow dropped it in the center of their village.
It exploded into a burst of light, revealing everything.
It illuminated every dark corner and chased away shadow.
But as the Inuit danced and celebrated
Crow told them the light would not last forever.
The ball of light would have to rest for six months
each year in order to gain its strength back.
“Half a year of daylight is enough” the Inuit said
and to this day they build their lives around
six months of day and six months of night.
An Inuit myth retold by S.E. Schlosser,
made into this poem July 15 2012
By: Charles Henderson ©
Copyright © Charles Henderson | Year Posted 2012
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment