Religious language; poem; "Canticle Of The Animals"
Canticle Of The Animals

What does the owl say to me,
as it watches?
The owl says:
"Daughter,
your wings are folded under your breastbone;
Daughter, your wings are hidden.
If you do not feel them try to move,
you are not paying attention."
Blessed be the wary owl for the lessons it teaches.

What does the fish say to me,
as it flickers?
The fish says:
"Daughter,
you had gills when you were in the womb;
Daughter, you come from the water.
If you no longer remember how to swim,
you are not paying attention."
Blessed be the slender fish for the lessons it teaches.

What does the cow say to me,
as it stands?
The cow says:
"Daughter,
I make food from the grasses;
Daughter, you and I are makers of food.
If you cannot perceive how beautiful we are,
you are not paying attention."
Blessed be the broad cow for the lessons it teaches.

What does the dog say to me,
as it waits?
The dog says:
"Daughter,
there is wilderness in you;
Daughter, your body's skin covers tangled thickets.
If you cannot smell them on the wind,
you are not paying attention."
Blessed be the steadfast dog for the lessons it teaches.

What does the lizard say to me,
as it leaves?
The lizard says:
"Daughter,
you know how to live in a desert;
Daughter, you know where the drops of water are.
If you have lost the track of your own wisdom,
you are not paying attention."
Blessed be the quick lizard for the lessons it teaches.

...

What does the tiger say to me,
as it lies curled?
The tiger says:
"Daughter,
you do not run your kill to ground;
Daughter, your kill comes cut and wrapped and packaged.
If you have forgotten that all life kills to eat,
you are not paying attention."
Blessed be the fierce tiger for the lessons it teaches.

What does the snake say to me,
as it slides by?
The snake says:
"Daughter,
if you hoard poison, it will multiply:
Daughter, never turn your hand to venom.
If you have not noticed that my forked tongue speaks truth,
you are not paying attention."
Blessed be the shining snake for the lessons it teaches.

What does the beetle say to me,
as it scuttles?
The beetle says:
"Daughter,
I remind you to tend to the small things;
Daughter, power is not only the property of the large.
If you cannot see me from the corner of your eye,
you are not paying attention."
Blessed be the antlered beetle for the lessons it teaches.

What does the spider say to me,
as it weaves?
The spider says:
"Daughter,
your fingers are skillful;
Daughter, you know how the web shines in the light.
If you feel that there's nothing left to spin with,
you are not paying attention."
Blessed be the busy spider for the lessons it teaches.

What does the heron say to me,
as it wades?
The heron says:
"Daughter,
notice my elegant bent wing;
Daughter, I would have you join me in my dance.
If you and I dance together, we will dance glory,
and we will pay attention."
Blessed be the tall heron for the lessons it teaches.

What do all the animals say to me,
as they go about in the world?
The animals say:
"Daughter,
you have us for holy book;
we move by our principles, in the innocence of our time.
You will learn from us,
if you pay attention."
Blessed be all the beloved animals,
for the lessons they teach.


Note:

This poem, in a just slightly different version, was first published at the back of Native Tongue III:Earthsong.