vignettes

osage county murders

Indian blood drips
from the osage oranges
on this dark, Oklahoma night—
drips into the tree roots.

The flower moon shines
placidly o'er the plains
in the month of May—
shines on the reservation.

In their eyes burns
a presentiment of pain,
of immolation—
oh, their sacrificial eyes.

To be self-sufficient,
prosperous, and a minority
in America:
a charge punishable by death.