A love poem by a Kwakiutl Indian

This poem was told by a Kwakiutl Indian of Southern Alaska to a missionary in 1861.  (I  extracted it from a TED talk which I referred to in my post, Science and romantic love.)

How earthy, grounded, real and raw… imagine if this is a poem from a loved one to you… How would it be?

Fire runs through my body with the pain of loving you
Pain runs through my body with the fires of my love for you
Pain like a boil about to burst with the love for you
Consumed by fire with my love for you
I remember what you said to me
I am thinking of your love for me
I am torn by your love for me
Pain and more pain, where are you going with my love
I’m told you will go from here, I’m told you will leave me here
My body is numb with grief
Remember what I said, my love, goodbye

– An anonymous Kwakiutl Indian

Imagine…