There was once a time
When the song of a good drum
Wakened warriors
Made them cut the bow
Cure the gut, fletch the arrows
Go hunt buffalo —
Before yesterday
And the coming of today
Men stood on firm limbs
They sang the old songs
Danced all the old dances
To call down their food.
All this has gone now —
Carried away, smoke on wind.
Dust flies in great clouds —
Here comes tomorrow!
Hold your drum ready to beat
Time into oblivion. . . .

February 15th 2002