Just Lynn

One woman. One name. One hell of an attitude!

bridal veil – a poem of Niagara

Written By: witchypo - Jan• 24•11

A maiden was fishing the river one day
      admiring the sparkle of sunlight at play
      upon the waves that rushed by the shore
      and lost in the sound of the great river’s roar

( 2) good fortune was hers and she soon had a catch
       and was casting again to get that one’s match
       but as the maid hauled on the thin fishing line
       she felt a great tug, and a voice said ‘that’s mine’

( 3) a man had appeared with her fish in his hand
       and was scowling at her as he came toward the land
       but soon as he saw the fair Indian maid
       a smile replaced the dark frown he had made

( 4) ‘you’ve taken what’s mine,’ he said with a grin
       admiring the glow of her soft copper skin
       ‘you must give me a kiss – I think payment’s fit
       or I’ll drown you right here on the rocks where you sit

( 5) ‘though the maid knew this ‘man’ was the great god He-No
       she was reluctant to let her fish go
       so she faced him as though she might actually fight
       kissed him – them pushed him – then clasped the fish tight

( 6) laughing, the god fell back into the waves
       calling, ‘you, dear, are bolder than any young brave!
       ‘but the maid didn’t hear as she ran toward the trees
       fighting the quiver that weakened her knees

( 7) the maid told no one of the day’s strange event
       but that night couldn’t sleep as she lay in her tent
       for each time that she closed her eyes all she could see
       was the man who had smiled at her tenderly

( 8 ) and in the thunder of Oniagara’s roar
       she herd his voice calling her down to the shore
       tomorrow, she promised, as sleep finally came
       whispering softly her sweet He-No’s name

( 9) day after day the maid went to the shore
       always returning with fish by the score
       so all were quite proud of the maid’s industry
       and how she contributed so happily

(10)  but when the fall painted the trees red and gold
       her father, the chief, said, ‘my dear, I am old…
       and I’d see you married before I must go
       so I’ve chosen a husband from the best men I know’

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(11)  in shock the maid watched as a handsome young man
       stood and approached the great chief of the clan
       as others around them broke into a cheer
       the poor maiden turned and ran off like a deer’

(12) ‘she’s just as that age’ the chief said to the others
       and received knowing nods from the fathers and mothers
       but he gave the lad leave to go search for his bride
       knowing he needed a balm for his pride

(13)  while the lads searched the gorge –
                where the maid liked to play
       the clan started the feast for the nuptial day
       but the chief felt the need to confer with a peer
       so he went to the falls where the waters ran clear

(14)  He-No he thought, was much older than he
       and would give him advice – if he asked – happily
       … perhaps he had rushed the poor girl after all…
       …would the youth wait?… would the clan let him stall?

(15)  but as the chief called out to raise the great god
       he spied, up the river, a sight that was odd
       a boat was adrift atop the high waves
       and in it the chief thought he saw a young brave

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(16)  shouting and running toward the shore line
       he prayed help would come to him in enough time
       for the rapids that bore the boat claimed many lives
       once caught in their pull, he thought, no one survives!

(17)  ‘I love you!’ he herd from inside the canoe
       fear gripped him as he saw there was nought he could do
       ’twas his daughter was riding along with the waves
       as calmly as if she were one of his braves

(18)  then she waved as the boat tumbled over the falls
       and the chieftain gave up on his pleas and his calls
       and used all his strength to run back to the crest
       feeling his heart break inside of his chest

(19)  at that moment the ground lurched and gave a great heave
       so the chief thought his senses had taken their leave
       but the truth was a third falls had just been new born
       between the two others, so old and so worn

(20)  watching the water course over and down
       he was sure he would see his poor daughter had drowned
       but instead, to his great shock, she stood far below
       atop of the river, beside great He-No

(21)  the god appear young and as tall as a tree
       holding the maid’s hand, he beamed happily’
       your daughter will marry, this day,’ he then said
       ‘but I am the one that this sweet girl will wed’

(22)  ‘she will live with me always behind the great falls
       and bare many children to fill my great hall’
       then He-No said of the new falls he’d made
       ‘that veil shall honour the joining we’ve made’

(23)  then taking his sweet maiden by her small hand
       He-No parted the waters by where they did stand
       and led her beyond them to start her new life
       as his most cherished and beloved young wife

(24)  though the chief felt great sorrow, he was also proud
       to see his dear daughter pass beyond the shroud
       and though he would miss her, he also was sure
       that the love the two shared was blessed and pure

(25)  ever since then it has always been said
       that He-No now blesses all those who are wed
       where Oniagara falls in a wondrous cascade
       or ‘long the banks of the river where his maiden first played

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