Table Song - Rena Priest

[Larry Robinson]

Table Song

People of the sea sing in gratitude with
stories of how salmon give themselves to 
nourish the people with sacred food. For 
as long as they swim, all will be well.

Grandmother tells how out in the cold 
straits, our most ancient kin, the 
Qwel’lhol’mechen Sing “this is where the 
salmon run today.” Follow the beacon of 
the tallest fin

And you shall share in the bountiful feast. 
This is how it was when we were still 
joined in a web connecting greatest to least 
with abundance for all to enjoy.

We sing to remember our gratitude to the 
life that became our sacred food.

	- Rena Priest
	(Rena Priest (Lhaq’temish [Lummi] Nation) currently serves as Washington State Poet Laureate)