Amidst the totem poles

the callithumpian band plays

in this juncture

the spruikers have their day

Tourist come

off the cruise ships

wearing colorful shirts

some looking hip

Each totem pole

tells a story of a life

good and bad times

victory over strife

Dancers send up prayers

in elaborate costumes

sometimes clouds produce thunder

tourists assume impending doom

After the show

tourist buy trinkets

a token to remind them

of a wonder that twinkled

The totem poles

slowly return to the earth

a reminder that life is

continuously filled with rebirth