I Jokes

In Nome we say I jokes
quick and deadpan

at the end of a joke. I jokes
we say, the Eskimo
English sticky on tongue.

In Nome we say I jokes
all right. Could be a cluck or a croak.

Or shyly, mouth covered by hand

at the end of a joke. I jokes
is how we poke
fun at our people and plans.

In Nome we say I jokes
because even though broken,
we've survived, a clan

at the end of a joke. I jokes,
we say, our spoken
coda, our last proud stand.
In Nome we say I jokes
at the end of a joke. I jokes.