THE SEASONS IN NORTH DAKOTA
Spring—and the wild March wind
The snow-covered prairies sweep;
From North Dakota’s frozen clod
The fur-clad Pasque Flowers peep.
Summer—and gentle showers,
And soft the zephyrs blow;
O’er North Dakota’s rolling plains
The modest Roses grow.
Autumn—and burnished skies,
And parching, sun-scorched sod;
And by the wayside still there blooms
The stately Goldenrod.
Winter—the flowers are dead
And fierce the cold winds blow;
Yet ’spite of North Dakota’s snow
The flowers of Hope still grow.
THE DELUGE
(A Berthold Indian Legend)
Long ago, yes, oh, so long since,—
When the world was young and fair,
All the animals were friendly;
E’en the bison and the bear
Aided man with all their cunning,
Helped him with their counsels grave,
Helped him as the gods alone can—
Made him wise and strong and brave.
And the flowers on the prairies
Blossomed ever, shy and sweet,
For the land of the Dakotas
Knew not frost, nor killing heat.