Songs for when the Hearth is Lit:
a short collection of poems for Redguard children.

Compiled by Sennis Auretia
Dedicated to Domasii and his dutiful wife and children, who entertained my renewed interest of a good hearthsong.



Watch your step, for the world has teeth!
Go stray, and Tall Papa cannot save you.
Go far, and Great Mama cannot help you.
Care less, and heathen beast will eat you,
for we are much too good for that!

Go numb, and scorpion will sting you!
Go mute, and harapti will rend you!
Go deaf, and jaguar will maul you!
Go blind, and madhoosa will skin you!
Walking world has many teeth among teeth,
for prayer does not help those too dead to sing!

~

Beetle favours Soontki,
but Medni distrusts crow!
Jackal befriends Letwha,
while Sohesi loaths goat!
Camel honors Ehmtu,
yet Nuvwei mocks N'rantha!
maggot exalts Namaiya,
but Mahala berates rooster!
Fennek praises Tendwo,
While Dueiket scolds tortoise!
Ox suprises Tureppa
yet Eikulwo bores lion!
Gebu pursues Deinsu,
but Shobi ignores tantha!
Sow thanks Bateki,
while Kunetya blames boar!
Horse glorifies Ruptvei,
yet Sinzta humbles sloth!
Umbala, Umbala, dearest Umbala,
We would rather call to you!

~

You and I are atop the hill.
But, as it appears, it is made of glass!
atop a glass-made hill is curious,
for we cannot climb down in safety!
Look! Below us, our friends!
They wish to reach us, but we know that is very silly.
Neither one of our parties are where they want to be,
yet you and I could not care any less!

~

Kunvei says, "Eight-leg, how do you fair?"
Eight-leg says, "Kunvei, unwell, now that I see you."
Kunvei says, "Eight-leg, is my face so well known?"
Eight-leg says, "Kunvei, no, but your name precedes your mask."
Kunvei says, "Eight-leg, then you know me by old formal title?"
Eight-leg says, "Kunvei, I do, for you are God who Makes Children and Sometimes Men Afraid."
Kunvei says, "Eight-leg, do you know why I bring visit?"
Eight-leg says, "Kunvei, no, for Wachanti Kinsei would not allow it."
Kunvei says, "Eight-leg, is my presence most unwelcome?"
Eight-leg says, "Kunvei, very, for you never live good moral"
Kunvei says, "Eight-leg, do you feel me grasp you?"
Eight-leg says, "Kunvei, yes, as your fingers are cold hornbill feathers."
Kunvei says, "Eight-leg, do you see me steal you?"
Eight-leg says, "Kunvei, yes, and I fear for my safety."
Kunvei says, "Eight-leg, then you expect you shall be my servant?"
Eight-leg says, "Kunvei, I do, and I cry out to as many gods as I can remember."
Kunvei says, "Eight-leg, how do you fair?"
Eight-leg says, "Kunvei, weeping, for my new home is the crook of your staff."

~

Tombu madman brays crazy,
and sings with sand in his teeth.
Tombu madman dances numb,
and fastens twigs in his hair.
Tombu madman speaks heathen,
and spits angrily at the sea.
Tombu madman wanders long,
and bows to otherskin passerbys.
Tombu madman thirsts greatly,
and offers sup to Sheiogi.
Tombu madman trips blind,
and makes beg to his enemies.

~

Spear in sand, spear in sand
we shall draw a prayer!
Kamtya Ngasaloiq,
Tsewagtogi Saitnalnu!
Keitu, revered saint of very long ago,
robes longer than the dunes.
Walk alongside and sing our hymns,
Goshokii, Eiidnusaraan.
Spear in sand, spear in sand,
blessed be you for your use!
Windy Tava absolutes our song!