Tsagaglalal
A white man told us
to be respectful,
then carelessly
plucked offerings
from she who watches.
Canyon Wren tossed
a few sweet notes
off the edge of the basalt.
My heart laughed
as they descended.
I heard a looney coyote
falling comically far.
I saw a trickster coyote
petrify a chieftess—
she who watches
white men
pluck life and honor
from her people and the river
forever.
This one is lovely.
This evokes so much. There's history, great imagery and something to learn. I had to search for what the title means. You honoured it beautifully.