The Manitou Song

INTRODUCTION: Cheesy poem. I can't be sure who wrote it, myself or my then-best friend Mya--judging by the "credits" given at the end, Mya is in fact the author, and I merely copied it. I include it just in case; I honestly don't think Mya would mind. (We lost touch years ago.) Beneath the poem is an illustration which helps explain the poem's ending: Written on a sheet torn from a notebook; I remember that in junior high I kept a fat notebook full of my writings and drawings and carried it with me everywhere I went. ("Shannon" is the name of one of Mya's fictional characters.) Likely from junior high (1989-91).

---

The Manitou Song

When the moon is bright and full,
watch out,
for that's when the Manitou's out and about.
When the days are short and the
nights are long,
that's when people sing this song,
for no manitou that hears it
can resist to fear it.
Look out.
If you have chosen not to heed
my warning,
your family will soon be mourning.
And you?
Well, guess where you'll be...

[Illustration: A nervous girl, possibly me, with her back to a tree; behind the tree you can just see a muzzle, part of an antler, and an evil eye, and a hand with claws is reaching around, gouging at the bark.]

Written by Shannon
Copied by Mya S. [last name omitted]
Recopied by Rachel H. [last name omitted]