Voyageur Classics 23: Pauline Johnson Selected Poetry and Prose - A Journey of Love, Loss, and Indigenous Identity

Pauline Johnson (1861-1913) was a Mohawk writer and performer who wrote poetry, prose, and plays. She was a leading figure in the literary world of her time, and her work continues to be read and enjoyed today.

This volume of Voyageur Classics collects some of Johnson's best-known and most beloved works, including her poems "A Cry from an Indian Woman," "The Song My Paddle Sings," and "The Mohawk Maiden." Her prose pieces, such as "The Moccasin Maker" and "Legends of Vancouver Island," offer a glimpse into her Indigenous culture and her own personal experiences.

Pauline Johnson: Selected Poetry and Prose (Voyageur Classics Book 23)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1439 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	241 pages

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Johnson's writing is characterized by its beauty, its passion, and its honesty. She wrote about love, loss, and the struggles of her people with a raw and powerful voice. Her work is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the history and culture of Canada.

A Cry from an Indian Woman

One of Johnson's most famous poems, "A Cry from an Indian Woman," is a powerful indictment of the racism and discrimination that Indigenous peoples faced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The poem begins with a cry of anguish from the speaker, who is lamenting the loss of her people's land and culture.

Oh, the long, long trail of the dying brave,

And the weary women weeping by his grave!

Oh, the little children, cold and starving there,

With never a blanket to cover them from the air!

The speaker goes on to describe the hardships that Indigenous peoples faced on the reserves, where they were forced to live in poverty and squalor.

Oh, the broken treaties, the cruel, cruel wrong,

That has driven our people to the dust so long!

Oh, the shame of it all, the bitter cry,

Of a race that is dying, dying, dying!

The poem ends with a plea for justice and understanding.

Oh, give us back our land, our homes, our pride,

And let us live again, side by side!

Oh, hear our cry, oh, heed our plea,

And let us be free, let us be free!

The Song My Paddle Sings

"The Song My Paddle Sings" is a more upbeat and hopeful poem that celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the joy of paddling a canoe.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the sound of her paddle as it cuts through the water.

The song my paddle sings,

Is a song of the river's flow.

It tells of the forest's secrets,

And the dreams that in it grow.

The speaker goes on to describe the sights and sounds of the river, and the joy that she finds in being out on the water.

I paddle through the golden light,

And watch the shadows dance.

I hear the birds sing their sweet songs,

And feel the wind upon my face.

The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the importance of nature in her life.

The river is my home,

And the canoe is my friend.

Together we journey through life,

And together we will find our end.

The Mohawk Maiden

"The Mohawk Maiden" is a beautiful and moving poem that tells the story of a young Mohawk woman who is forced to choose between her love for her people and her love for a white man.

The poem begins with the maiden describing her love for her people and her land.

I am a Mohawk maiden,

And I love my people true.

I love the forest and the river,

And the mountains old and blue.

However, the maiden also falls in love with a white man, and she is torn between her two loves.

But I love a white man also,

And he loves me as well.

What shall I do, what shall I do,

For my heart is like to break?

In the end, the maiden chooses to stay with her people, but she never forgets her love for the white man.

I will stay with my people,

And be true to my race.

But I will never forget him,

The love of my heart and my grace.

Legends of Vancouver Island

In addition to her poetry, Johnson also wrote a number of prose pieces, including the collection "Legends of Vancouver Island." These stories are based on the oral traditions of the Indigenous peoples of the region, and they offer a glimpse into their culture and beliefs.

One of the most famous stories in the collection is "The Legend of the Two Sisters." This story tells the tale of two sisters who are turned into stone after being pursued by a giant. The sisters are now known as the Two Sisters Rocks, and they are a popular tourist destination on Vancouver Island.

Another popular story in the collection is "The Legend of the Thunderbird." This story tells the tale of a giant bird that is said to bring thunder and lightning. The Thunderbird is a powerful symbol in Indigenous culture, and it is often seen as a protector of the people.

Pauline Johnson was a gifted writer who used her words to share the beauty and the struggles of her people. Her work continues to be read and enjoyed today, and it is an important part of the literary landscape of Canada.

Voyageur Classics 23: Pauline Johnson Selected Poetry and Prose is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the history and culture of Canada. This volume collects some of Johnson's best-known and most beloved works, and it offers a glimpse into her unique and powerful voice.

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Pauline Johnson: Selected Poetry and Prose (Voyageur Classics Book 23)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1439 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	241 pages

FREE