Classic Poem

Prayer to the Sockeye Salmon

O, Swimmers, this is the dream
given by you, to be the way of my
late grandfathers when they first
caught you at your playground
in this river. Now you will be
in the same way, Swimmers.

I do not club you twice,
for I do not wish to club to death
your souls so that you may
go home to the place
where you come from, Supernatural Ones,
you, givers of heavy weight.

Thank you, Swimmers, you,
Supernatural Ones, that you have come
to try to save our lives,
mine and my husband's, that we
may not die of hunger, you
Long-Life-Maker, protect us
that nothing evil may befall us, you,
Rich-Woman-Maker; and also
this, that we may meet again next year,
good, great Supernatural Ones.