When the telephoto battery dies

From our perch up on the cliff, we watch 

As the canoes paddle in 

For the annual tribal canoe journey, 

A way of sharing cultural traditions 

Among the Pacific Northwest tribes.

 I’d hoped to take a better shot, 

But the battery on my “real” camera was dead — 

Proof that the camera is now rarely used, 

 Replaced by more ubiquitous technologies. 

How heartening to realize 

 The tribes are doing a better job 

 Of keeping old technologies alive, 

 Maintaining in-person gatherings and canoes, 

Traditions which, like my old camera, 

Do a better job of bring us in close 

And fostering unity…