The English in Virginia, April 1607

They landed and could

see nothing but

meadows and tall

trees—

cypress, nearly three

fathoms about at the

roots,

rising straight for

sixty or eighty feet

without a branch.

In the woods were

cedars, oaks, and

walnut trees;

some beech, some elm,

black walnut, ash,

and sassafras; mul-

berry trees in

groves;

honey-suckle and

other vines hanging

in clusters on

many trees.

They stepped on

violets and other

sweet flowers,

many kinds in many

colors; straw-

berries and rasp-

berries were on

the ground.

Blackbirds with red

shoulders were

flying about

and many small birds,

some red, some blue;

the woods were full of deer;

and running

everywhere

fresh water—

brooks, rundles,

springs and creeks.

In the twilight,

through the thickets

and tall grass,

creeping upon all

fours—the

savages, their

bows in their

mouths.

Notes:

*Based upon the Works of Captain John Smith, edited by Edward Arber.

Copyright Credit: From The Poems of Charles Reznikoff by Charles Reznikoff, edited by Seamus Cooney. Reprinted by permission of Black Sparrow Books, an imprint of David R. Godine, Publisher, Inc. Copyright 2005 by Charles Reznikoff.

Source: Poems 1918-1975: The Complete Poems of Charles Reznikoff (Black Sparrow Press, 1977)