The Delight Song of Tsoai-talee

N. Scott Momaday (born 1934) is a Native American author and Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction.

His Kiowa Indian name is Tsoai-talee, meaning rock-tree-boy. In this poem, Momaday repeats the same phrase at the beginning of each line, "I am..." as he describes himself using metaphors and descriptive language. The Delight Song of Tsoai-talee is a window into this poet's identity, as he expresses his pride for who he is and where he comes from through this beautiful poem. 

Read Momaday's poem below.

Then, read the other mentor poems and the prompts that follow.

Try writing your own poem!

Prompts to write your own poem

Write a poem that is a portrait of you as the things that you love or find particularly beautiful or meaningful. 

Start your lines with "I am."

Remember to add descriptive language, so we can really see, hear, taste, and experience your favorite things in exactly the way you love them!