Mary Austin

Shoshone Love Song

NEITHER spirit nor bird—

That was my flute you heard

Last night by the river.

When you came with your wicker jar

Where the river drags the willows,

That was my flute you heard,

Wacoba, Wacoba,

Calling, Come to the willows!

Neither the wind nor a bird

Rustled the lupin blooms—

That was my blood you heard

Answer your garment’s hem

Whispering through the grasses;

That was my blood you heard

By the wild rose under the willows.

That was no beast that stirred—

That was my heart you heard,

Pacing to and fro

In the ambush of my desire

To the flute’s four-noted call.

Wacoba, Wacoba,

That was my heart you heard

Leaping under the willows.