Uploaded on September 10, 2011
When I hear the old men
Telling of heroes,
Telling of great deeds
Of ancient days,
When I hear them telling,
Then I think within me
I too am one of these.
When I hear the people
Praising great ones,
Then I know that I too
Shall be esteemed,
I too when my time comes
Shall do mightily.
—Chippewa Indian Song
transcribed by Mary Austin
Favorite Poems Old and New
edited by Helen Ferris
09.10.2023: I’m glad I picked an image of Sam to go with this poem.