Coyote Builds a House

by Carolyn Dunn

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. For more information, visit the author's Endicott bio page.

"Coyote Builds a House" copyright © 2006 by Carolyn Dunn. This poem may not be reproduced in any form without the author's express permission.