Aria

Aria


I acknowledge you, black man
who first loved the curve
of the buffalo.
I acknowledge you, buffalo woman
who stood still and loved
the black man back.

And I give thanks.

I give thanks to the whips
I give thanks to the chains
to the ships carrying my fathers from Africa.

I give thanks to the past
I give thanks to Buffalo Bill
to the greasy grass my mothers bled upon.

And I give thanks.

And I sing alone.


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