042910s The Trader Poem by Manonton Dalan

i am glad to see my people well
smile on their faces, i could tell
smoke rising from tepee a progress
they’re burning wood that are fresh

a barking dog is an alarm to watch
a hurt braves; a visitor close enough
this time a trader looking for pelts
he got a rum, a firesticks and belts

today i’ll get exploding powder in a shell
long firesticks that i can shoot at will
with my bags of dust from last summer
i am very optimistic i could get better

trader wants me to have short firestticks
two for the price of one, could be tricks
i could give away one of my widow
for soap, salt, pants and a silk polo