First, of nature's course, it was the birds; br for theirs the air, above and over all; br knowing by intuition without need of words br as providential, seasoned, sure br as sparrow's fall; br and knowing too br how much to trust to men br who do not even trust each other. br br It was, of nature's course, the snowy eagle br entrusted with the task: br the only bird who may look straight into the sun; and thus br to whom that message might be given, to ask, br to pass on to his lord; the only bird br whose plumage may reflect the sun's majestic rays, br and live; perhaps to bring a message back. br br As to the message - was it just a sprig br of leaves from tallest tree - polluted, withered, black as crow? br or was it something inner in the words br as spoken on the flight from wintry sun to warmth, or br warmth to Northern spring? br br They watched, the conference of the silent birds, br while snowy eagle, like the teepee's early morning smoke, br ascended higher, higher, into the sun's great eye, br which never man - eagle alone - may see; br and...