Introduction to Western Civilization

Introduction to Western Civilization


In Spain, on the Mediterranean coast, there is a walled city
which has been inhabited for thousands of years,

though many parts have fallen to ruin, such as the church
which now consists of a wall and an anonymous room.

On the exterior wall of the church, a metal basket extends
toward the sea. I thought it might have been used for a game

until Bengt explained that the basket once held
the skulls of enemy soldiers, and served
as a vivid warning against any further attacks on the church.


Sherman Alexie.............from The Summer of Black Widows