The Indian Burying Ground - A poem by Philip Freneau

Philip Freneau - The Indian Burying Ground

In spite of all the learn'd have said;
I still my old opinion keep,
The posture, that we give the dead,
Points out the soul's eternal sleep.

Not so the ancients of these lands --
The Indian, when from life releas'd
Again is seated with his friends,
And shares gain the joyous feast.

His imag'd birds, and painted bowl,
And ven'son, for a journey dress'd,
Bespeak the nature of the soul,
Activity, that knows no rest.

His bow, for action ready bent,
And arrows, with a head of stone,
Can only mean that life is spent,
And not the finer essence gone.

Thou, stranger, that shalt come this way.
No fraud upon the dead commit --
Observe the swelling turf, and say
They do not lie, but here they sit.

Here still lofty rock remains,
On which the curious eye may trace,
(Now wasted, half, by wearing rains)
The fancies of a older race.

Here still an aged elm aspires,
Beneath whose far -- projecting shade
(And which the shepherd still admires
The children of the forest play'd!

There oft a restless Indian queen
(Pale Shebah, with her braided hair)
And many a barbarous form is seen
To chide the man that lingers there.

By midnight moons, o'er moistening dews,
In habit for the chase array'd,
The hunter still the deer pursues,
The hunter and the deer, a shade!

And long shall timorous fancy see
The painted chief, and pointed spear,
And reason's self shall bow the knee
To shadows and delusions here.

Added: on March 1st, 2007 at 12:37 AM | Viewed: 10964 times | Comments and analysis of The Indian Burying Ground by Philip Freneau Comments (8)

The Indian Burying Ground - Comments and Information
Poet: Philip Freneau Poem: The Indian Burying Ground Poem of the Day: Jul 1 2000 Comment 8 of 8, added on January 23rd, 2008 at 4:25 PM. Philip Freneau expresses his belief that the Indians are the ones who have already established a connection with the Supreme Force that gave birth to the life as we know it, and to the one which is mysteriosly hidden from us. Unlike civilized nations, that use this gift as a means to secure a stable and comfortable place in this world, the tribal communities keenly listen to and obey the nature's inner voice which leads to the Designer of Everything. It is rather low and one should dedicate their whole life in order to hear it well. The Indians are the attentive listeners. The "civilized" people don't bother so much- they live, laugh, love and sleep later. And for reaching the union with one's true self there will be time...later... Maria Cankovic from Yugoslavia Comment 7 of 8, added on March 5th, 2007 at 8:16 PM. Reading this poem I see that it is both a regret of treatment toward Native Americans, and an respect of there way of thinking toward the after life. Being a Native American myself, the word freedom has an entirely different meaning than what the average joe would think. Freneau expresses the longing for the freedom in this poem. With his words "Beseak the nature of the soul" He meant every mans will to be free. Do what makes the soul happy. With line 33-36, he tells what made the hunter happy. Freneau gives the respect to the Native American, as he speaks of the bruying grounds. He tells the stranger, do not disturb the mounds. In his way he says they are not asleep, rather, they are enjoying what made them happy..... FREEDOM ! George from United States Comment 6 of 8, added on March 1st, 2007 at 12:37 AM. Freneau's "The Indian Burying Ground" expresses his primitivism that marked his nature poetry. Although reason assured Freneau that the dead did not walk again on this earth, he indulges his fancy in this poem and supposes that the sitting posture in which Indians bury their dead signifies their belief in life on earth again. He even postulates that we say one thing and act a different way, whereas the Indians' actions spring from their beliefs. It is clear that Freneau admires the Indians, the noble savages by this time. Gracie Mendoza from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, The Indian Burying Ground, has received 8 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Philip Freneau with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Philip Freneau Poem: The Indian Burying Ground Last read: Jul 25 2008, 5:13AM Poem of the Day: Jul 1 2000 Viewed 10964 times. Added on March 1st, 2007 at 12:37 AM.

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