Keen desert wind howls across barren landscapes
Indigenous soil bakes dry in the sun
Low, silent steps, slyly slide through the prairie grass
Logarithmically, the tamu1 scrutinizes his surroundings, then returns to his feast
Ominously, the pia wa'óo2 stalks through the shadows
Readjusting, his pupils widen, his hunger cries

Dispassionately, the pia wa'óo waits
Instinctively the tamu’s body stiffens, aware of the predator
Eventually, the tamu relaxes, returning his attention to the prairie grasses
Immediately the pia wa'óo pounces, claws extended
Neck is broken, lunch is ready

Emaciated, he carries lunch
A never-ending field of prairie grass gives way to a
Roaring fire and unfamiliar faces
Teepees tower like great canvas mountains
Hunters emerge, spotting the foreigner
Slowly stalking, sliding through undergrowth

Chief rises, arrow flies, pia wa'óo softens, breathing its last
Incisions carved, hide stretched, and meat cleaned
Rigorous work made to look easy
Careful craftsman carve tools from bone
Little children fetch river water
Everyone helps--nothing goes to waste

Orders made, orders followed
Flesch made quiver--nothing goes to waste
Life must be fought for: an eternal struggle
In time, fates meet, lives end
Food, the reason to kill, and a reason to live
Everyone helps--nothing goes to waste

1 rabbit       2 cougar