Pamola Arise!
Please, my people, do not weep;
they are gone, yet not gone.
Giants rest in their keeps
gathering strength from our
hopes and from their dreams.
A day will come, when once
again they will rise.
Once again; you will see
Pamola survey his domain
perched atop Katahdin.
Aerily he rhymes his wings,
drummed beats to drive
back greedy trespassers.
Vengeful against violators
his wings whip up icy,
blinding blizzards, where
bodies are lost forevermore.
Once again Lord Protector,
moose-horned, shaggy-headed
Abenaki legend will reign.
The Abenaki people are an indigenous peoples of the Americas located in the Northeastern Woodlands region. Their religious beliefs are part of the Midewiwin tradition, with ceremonies led by medicine keepers, called Medeoulin or Mdawinno.
Pamola (also known as Pamolai, P-mol-a, Pomola, and Bmola) is a legendary bird spirit that appears in Abenaki mythology. This spirit causes cold weather. Specifically, according to the Penobscot tribal nation, Pamola inhabited Katahdin, the tallest mountain in Maine. Pamola is said to be the thunder god and protector of the mountain. The Penobscot people describe him as having the head of a moose, the body of a man and the wings and feet of an eagle. Pamola was both feared and respected by the Penobscot Nation, known as “The Oldest Government in the Western Hemisphere” per the Nation’s website, and his presence was one of the main reasons that climbing the mountain was considered taboo. The spirit resented mortals intruding from down below. Because of this, the mountain was closed off limits to all below. It was also widely believed that Pamola had taken and held prisoners on his mountain forever.
Learn more about the Wabanaki Confederacy: Abenaki, Míkmaq, Maliseet, Penobscot, Passamaquoddy HERE.
Tao Talk 
such a good poem Li :D Nicely done! 😊😊💜💜
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Thank you :)
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I’ve learnt something new again, Lisa! I had never heard of the Abenaki people or Pamola, so your notes helped me understand your amazing poem. I especially love the phrase ‘aerily he rhymes his wings’,
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Kim, thanks much. I didn’t know of them either until choosing the Pamola to write about.
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You’re welcome, Lisa. Your prompt is a great one for researching and learning things.
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<3
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This is exquisitely drawn, Lisa! I especially admire; “Aerily he rhymes his wings, drummed beats to drive back greedy trespassers.” ❤️❤️
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Thanks very much, Sanaa <3
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It looks like the head of a buffalo with wings and the legs of a demon.
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It’s an imposing looking protector for sure, Jim. I wouldn’t want to go against it.
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A very nice touch researching and writing on an Indigenous culture. Thank you… very interesting!
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Thanks much, Steve, I learned some more about Indigenous culture and that always makes me happy.
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Oh, I am the same, Lisa, it feels so enriching: learning and honouring as a step towards reconciliation/reparation.
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<3
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I know Katahdin i Hiked the AT in 2002 and thats where it ends! I had no idea about the Native people their and Pamola…til now thanks to you! Awesome and educational!
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Tigress, very very interesting to learn that’s where the AT ends. I guess we know why it ends there now :) Happy to bring the info to you through the poem.
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A very creative poem, lisa.
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Thanks much, Dwight. It started one way, morphed another way, then decided on a completely new way.
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You are welcome!
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That is the way of inspiration… go with the flow and find your epiphany!
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:)
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Very interesting poem and legend.
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Sadje, I totally agree with you. Thanks for reading :)
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It’s a pleasure dear friend.
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I love all these myths with parts of different animals givine a combines strengths.
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Yes! I love the multi-part animals also. I wouldn’t want to go against Pamola. Did you see where Cara hiked the Appalachian Trail and she said that the Trail ends at Mount Katahdin?
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very nice 👍
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Neeraj, thank you :)
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Nice work my friend! Don’t get around much, but glad I stopped by.
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Rob, I am glad you are still writing poetry. I hope you find healing and relief in your body so you can get out and about to the forest again.
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i love the notes as much as the poem. Wonderful!
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Sherry so happy this pleases you. <3
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What an incredible mythical beast and such profound wisdom and creativity in these indigenous stories. I love your rendering of this and the images. I feel there is a real opening of awareness to First Nation knowledge now. So important their connections to the natural world and respect for the sacredness of all beings. I loved Braiding Sweetgrass as there was also insight into the way the language worked as well as understanding of botany and nature.
Thanks for this insight.
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Georgina, my pleasure to share what I learn as I go. I totally agree that the time is right for learning on First People ways. It may save us, whether we’re worthy or not of such saving.
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Indeed! I hope our children’s children are.
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Even if this had been an act of imagination, your poem was so convincing, Li, but your notes on the background to Pamola taught us what a great piece of mythology you chose to portray so well…
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Andrew I’m humbled by your comment. Thanks, my friend.
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Nicely written and more learning for me. Thank you! 👏
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Thanks much, Shaun :)
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Poet as teacher, I had a wonderful time reading the poem but also all your supporting material. Amazing people. “… he rhymes his wings …” such a great line Li.
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Paul, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks buddy <3
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I love the legend behind this creature, and especially loved,
“Aerily he rhymes his wings,”
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:) Thanks much, Sara.
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