| WHAT I DID ON THE TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF 911 |
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I woke up in Badlands Sunrise hike New light Spilling into Conata Basin I then drove east Then south 73 from Kadoka I wanted to see Anna Mae Or rather Where she left this world A leader of her people Flawed, betrayed, murdered I once saw a film A detective Stood at the place I knew what it looked like Driving south on 73 I knew the place right away I thought At least They took you to a beautiful place Butte land grass land Dissected White clay formations Dotted with Red Cedars I imagined The handgun behind the ear And flashing And exploding into One thousand prismatic, bird-shaped fragments of light Shooting outward Fanning out Crystal colored I saw this so clearly In my mind’s eye I headed west through Wanblee Lakota radio from Porcupine Old Sioux men Strumming electric guitars Singing Jesus songs South of Porcupine I saw Wounded Knee Two huge patches Grass fire black On top of the hill Gateway to the cemetery Crumbling Forlorn I climbed the hill Went through the gate Central slot area fenced Chain link Covered with charms Ribbons, prayer flags An Irish flag All fluttering in the dry wind I climbed down the hill Entered the humble museum Dark Thick sage smoke Large poster of Pedro Bissonette Five dollar bill This is what I did On the tenth anniversary Of September 11 |