SUPPER
My father and my uncle
ride up from the Trading Post,
the Red Rock Trading Post
down near the winter hogan.
Long before I heard them
I could feel them coming.
Long before I saw them
I could hear them singing.
Now they ride into the firelight,
my father and my uncle.
My father brought salt
and baking powder
and lard
for my mother
from the Trading Post.
He brought candy
for me.
My father brought news,
much news.
Things he had seen,
things that were told to him
at the Trading Post.
He brought them back
for us to hear.
Then we washed our hands.
We sat away from the fire.
My mother placed the evening food
before us.
When we had eaten
my father gave thanks
to the Holy Ones.
We washed our hands again.
My uncle put new wood upon the fire.
Then the best part of the day began.
My father and my uncle talked.
