Mohawk Legend of the Flying Stag

by
Ka-je-je Yohsta

Based upon Mohawk Lore of the seasons, which pictures a spirit doe ascending the Milky Way and a mystical, silver stag with golden horns in the Adirondacks.

               The Great Flying Stag..................      :O-nah-ga-ron-day-go-wa

               Star................................................      :O-jis-to

               Cloud.............................................       :O-cha-da

               Moon.............................................       :O-ne-da

               Spirit Princess, The Splendor            :Dah-wen-do-day
               or effulgence, before the Sunrise

               The Sun.........................................        :Ga-rah-kwa

               Night..............................................        :Ah-sawn-tawn-eh

               Earth..............................................        :O-when-jeh


Great flying stag of silver white,
O-nah-ga-ron-day-go-wa,
Sky-born son of the fabled doe
That walks the Milky Way,
Offspring of the stag that guards 
The peaks of Adirondack,
Beautiful like a spotted fawn,
Lightning-winged and thunder-born,
With golden antlers proudly spread,
And eyes of twin o-jis-to!

Great flying stag of silver white,
O-nah-ga-ron-day-go-wa,
His nostrils vapored like O-cha-da,
His jeweled feet of burnished gold
Glinted in bright O-ne-da;
Gallant knight of Dah-wen-do-day
Spirit flame of dawning bright,
Maiden fair, oh! gentle sweet,
Heralding ga-rah-kwa's light!

Great flying stag of silver white,
O-nah-ga-ron-day-go-wa,
His ire mounted, at each breath,
For hapless Dah-wen-do-day
Held captive with her halo bright
Behind night's barriered door;
Passion swayed, he sought to free her,
Frantic raced dream mountain steeps,
Leapt from heights of Adirondack,
Twixt the darkness and the light.

Great flying stag of silver white,
O-nah-ga-ron-day-go-wa,
Felled the door of ah-sawn-tawn-eh,
Flooding o-when-jeh with gold,
Releasing the glad Dah-wen-do-day,
Spirit splendor of the light;
Flaming was O-nah-ga-ron-day,
Ardently and tender kissed her --
In eternal mist enveloped,
Vapor veiled they were forever!