The big drum talks
from the back of the pickup truck.
It is the day named for Chief Joseph,
perhaps in honor, it's hard to say, exactly.
At any rate, there's a Pendleton blanket
bearing his name draped over the hood
of a Red Ford Ranger.
Each decorated truck and car swings
proudly into line, bearing
with care the young boys,
the young girls, whose place this WAS.
They carry feathered things, beaded things.
Watchers smile and say "how pretty!" but
from the back of the pickup truck.
It is the day named for Chief Joseph,
perhaps in honor, it's hard to say, exactly.
At any rate, there's a Pendleton blanket
bearing his name draped over the hood
of a Red Ford Ranger.
Each decorated truck and car swings
proudly into line, bearing
with care the young boys,
the young girls, whose place this WAS.
They carry feathered things, beaded things.
Watchers smile and say "how pretty!" but
don't what they are talking about.
On the back of an old car decorated
with dibble sticks and
other practical goods, a flute from
some other culture speaks,
in time with the drumming of
the old engine. Or maybe that's the
tinny bass from a boom box playing
On the back of an old car decorated
with dibble sticks and
other practical goods, a flute from
some other culture speaks,
in time with the drumming of
the old engine. Or maybe that's the
tinny bass from a boom box playing
traditional drum tunes. It's hard to say.
Each in turn turns a corner
onto the main drag, and young dancers
and elder drivers toss the new
coin of the realm: cheap, sweet
candies that fly to the hands
of white children in cowboy hats
dancing along the road.
Each in turn turns a corner
onto the main drag, and young dancers
and elder drivers toss the new
coin of the realm: cheap, sweet
candies that fly to the hands
of white children in cowboy hats
dancing along the road.
