Passenger Pigeon Poetry

"The migratory or wild pigeon of North America was known by our race as O-me-me-wog." By Chief Pokagon - Simon Pokagon - of Michigan, a full-blooded Indian, the last Pottawattomie chief of the Pokagon band. From The Chautauquan," November, 1895. Vol. 22. No. 20. Reprinted in The Passenger Pigeon, by W.B. Mershon.

Me-me-og, The Wild Pigeon

In springtime when the rosy hand of morning light

Unfolds the curtain of an April night.

And golden clouds float in the liquid blue.

As guardian spirits, weeping crystal dew,

The frightened woodsman, in wonder list'ning stands!

Thinks a whirlwind is abroad in the land!

Darkness increases, his eyes grow dim.

And as he seeks shelter from the impending wind,

Suddenly his fears are turned to joy, for he sees

Sweeping through and high above the forest trees

Millions of pigeons, on their north-bound way,

Almost shutting out the morning light of day!

Captain O.W. Rowland. History of Van Buren County, Michigan. Volume 1.