PACKING

My mother's possessions

we tie on the pack horses,

her loom parts

and her wool yarns,

her cooking pots,

her blanket

and my blanket

and the water jug,

white sacks filled with food,

cans of food,

cornmeal and wheat flour,

coffee and sugar.

My mother's possessions,

we tie them all on the

pack horses.

The packs must be steady.

The ropes must be tight.

The knots must be strong.

I cannot pack the horses,

I am too little,

but I can bring the possessions

to my father and my uncle.

I am big enough for that.