—Before the Coming of the White man
I am the White Corn Boy
I walk in sight of my home.
I walk in plain sight of my home.
I walk on the straight path which is towards my home.
I walk to the entrance of my home.
I arrive at the beautiful goods curtain which hangs at the doorway.
I arrive at the entrance of my home.
I am in the middle of my home.
I am at the back of my home.
I am on top of the pollen footprint.
I am on top of the pollen seed print.
I am like the Most High Power Whose Ways are Beautiful.
Before me it is beautiful.
Behind me it is beautiful.
Under me it is beautiful.
Above me it is beautiful.
All around me it is beautiful.
from Aileen O’Brian, The Diné Origin Myths of the Navajo Indians
from American Indian Prose and Poetry
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, NY,1974
