Archaeology

Archaeology


Beginning at that river
where spring floods uncovered

the long forgotten
burial ground of some tribe

or another, I search
for skulls and extra ribs

in the past. My hands reach
down, an exact process

into water, my own
reflection, and what it changes

I recognize. A shovel-shaped incisor
is all I need

to prove mouth
and face, eyes

set free, down river
to float nameless and see.


Sherman Alexie.........from Old Shirts & New Skins