Final answer:
Silko's poem lacks a linear and straightforward narrative, instead embodying characteristics such as connection to nature, spiritual elements, and symbolism. It interweaves community and the mystical, reflecting Native American oral traditions and the cyclical nature of time.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Silko's work, particularly her story 'Yellow Woman' from the Storyteller collection, certain characteristics of Native American mythology are prevalent. Features like the connection to nature and the environment, spiritual elements and symbolism, as well as a thematic intertwining of the mystical with the human experience, are foundational to her narrative. However, Native American storytelling is typically non-linear, embracing cycles, the recurrence of events, and connections across time. Therefore, it would not be characteristic of Native American mythology to present a linear and straightforward narrative, which is the feature that is NOT present in Silko's poem.
The poem by Silko is both a story of community and the mystical, as it connects the narrator with her ancestry and the wider community through the Kachina yellow woman story. The use of traditional Pueblo legends within a contemporary tale demonstrates the enduring relevance of these myths and their role in community cohesion. The strong affiliation to the natural world is indicative of indigenous philosophies where humans are deeply connected to the natural world. Moreover, her work often encompasses the concept of Native American oral and performative traditions, stressing the cyclical nature of time and the inseparable bond between humans and their natural environment, as seen in various Native American cultures like the Warlpiri people's Dreamtime.