Book Quote on Old Age, Poverty and Bad Luck

From the book The Wishing Bone Cycle Narrative Poems from the Swampy Cree Indians, a short poem about being poor, having bad luck, and being old:

I am the poorest one.

I cook bark.

I have bad luck in hunting.

A duck caught my arrow

and used it

for her nest. 

I am the poorest one.

I sit in mud and weep.

I have bad luck in hunting.

A goose caught my arrow

and broke it 

in two. 

I am old, old.

Don't bring me pity, 

but food

yes.

 Photo Courtesy of Nir Nussbaum

Photo by Chalmers Butterfield - Creative Commons

The poem is attributed to John Rains but, according to the book and Cree tradition, it now belongs to the world community. Once a poem has been spoken, it becomes community property. Thus it may continue on with many variations.