Over the Falls.

 

The natives had a custom
Once every five years
A beautiful maiden would
Be sacrificed to the Falls
The Giant Cataract.
Some half mile from their village
And fields of maize.

The Falls, a reminder
Of the attitude of the Great Spirit.
Powerful, unstoppable, sovereign
Opening or withholding 
Clouds with rains for the fields.

Three candidates chosen by
Band Council, and then
The drawing of lots.
This year sweet Gentle Fawn
Got the go ahead.
Her Father, one of the Elders
Was overwhelmed. Teary eyed.

The procession down to water’s edge
Had the usual drumming
Step dancing and, ornate feathering
Baskets of produce and wild fruit
To be thrown into the river.
A canoe newly fashioned
Never before used.
Received young Fawn.
And she was pushed out.

At first the coasting was gentle.
No paddle, nothing of man
In the direction of this watercraft.
Speed picked up a little
As the main and terrible current 
Took hold voraciously
And with steamy roaring..

Father could hold back
No more.
Grabbing a second canoe.
He paddled furiously
To his daughter of Love.
Born after two brothers.
Father grabbed her gunwale
With both hands.
She smiled, and did likewise.
Over they went
Hands together
United at the end.

(Inspired by a devotional article offered by Mrs. Charles Cowman, missionary to Japan, author.)