The Flower-Fed Buffaloes, by Vachel Lindsay

The flower-fed buffaloes of the spring

In the days of long ago,

Ranged where the locomotives sing

And the prarie flowers lie low:

The tossing, blooming, perfumed grass

Is swept away by wheat,

Wheels and wheels and wheels spin by

In the spring that still is sweet.

But the flower-fed buffaloes of the spring

Left us long ago,

They gore no more, they bellow no more:--

With the Blackfeet lying low,

With the Pawnee lying low. 

Story

This poem is about the destruction of the Native American people and their joint culture. This was destroyed by the coming of settlers and their new technology (trains and locomotives.) and their new forms of agriculture (wheat). As a result of this, the old things have died out, for example, the old tribes and the buffaloes.

Tone

The poem has a mournful tone as it feels nostalgic for it's past. As the old things have been swept away by modern life. Furthermore, there is slight anger for those who are responsible, yet it is fairly hidden.

Deeper Meaning

The poem is fairly unambiguous, as his point is very clear. The speakers tells us how despite people think it is progress, but in fact it's the opposite and it's destruction.

The poet is trying to get the reader to feel sympathy for nature, and admire the beautiful nature. However, there is tension whether this loss should just be accepted, or resisted.

Structure and Form

The poem is separated into 3 clear parts. Firstly, it shows how things were, then how things changed, and then how things are now. This chronological features, mimics how the effects are permanent and there is no going back.

 The lines get shorter as the poem goes on, which represents how the amount of buffaloes is dwindling. The phrase 'lying low' is repeated many times, which creates a mournful tone and emphasises the message that they have gone.