The War God's Horse Song

I am the Turquoise Woman's son.
On top of Belted Mountain
Beautiful horses--slim like a weasel!
My horse has a hoof like striped agate;
His fetlock is like a fine eagle plume;
His legs are like quick lightning.
My horse's body is like an eagle-plumed arrow;
My horse has a tail like a trailing black cloud.
I put flexible goods on my horse's back;
The Little Holy Wind blows through his hair.

His mane is made of short rainbows.
My horse's ears are made of round corn.
My horse's eyes are made of big stars.
My horse's head is made of mixed waters
(From the holy waters--he never knows thirst).
My horse's teeth are made of white shell.
The long rainbow is in his mouth for a bridle,
        And with it I guide him.
When my horse neighs, different-colored horses follow.
When my horse neighs, different-colored sheep follow.
        I am wealthy, because of him.

        Before me peaceful,
        Behind me peaceful,
        Under me peaceful,
        Over me peaceful,
        All around me peaceful--
        Peaceful voice when he neighs.
        I am Everlasting and Peaceful.
        I stand for my horse.

(From the Navajo)
by Dane and Mary Roberts Coolidge
in A Little Treasury of American Poetry, New York, Scribner's, 1948