It Was the Third Day: July 12, 1971

It Was the Third Day: July 12, 1971


Hitchhiking on the way to Colorado
I heard your voice, "Look, Dad,"
a hawk
sweeping its wings
clear

through the whole sky

the blue
the slow wind
fresh with the smell of alfafa
at the foot of Jemez Mountains.

(You see, the gods come during the summer
for four days amongst the people,
bring gifts, bring hope and life,
you can see them, I mean.)

Waiting for my next ride
I sang
Look, the plants with bells.
Look, the stones with voices.


Simon Ortiz