I made
Indian poker.
Joker nailed to my forehead,
Wild and all
And I will sing
A kick dance song.
Is this my own
Home country?
Deer Woman
Was my wife
Until she spat
On my shoes.
Air Jordans,
Size 13's.
Red dust
Clouds their vision
Red dust,
River proper,
Stones in the place of
Soles,
Pinching my toes.
Damn,
I'd spit dry
My own shoes
But she’s watching.
Wanting me back.
She’ll have to lick
My boots for now,
With her shiny tongue.
She can lick me anywheres
She wants,
Yeah.
In my own
Home country
Now.
About the Author: Carolyn Dunn is a Native American writer, anthologist, musician, and academic whose poetry, fiction, and essays have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. She serves on the board of directors for Red Nation Celebration, a California non–profit organization that produces media events to raise money and awareness for American Indian issues and concerns surrounding children and elders across Native America.
"Coyote Builds a House" copyright © 2006 by Carolyn Dunn. This poem may not be reproduced in any form without the author's express permission.