Hoover be damned

[Buffalo Head '75]

does anyone read the ancient
scriptures scribbled on
cavern walls that shadow
the bright angel trail.

have the blackjack losers
on big silver twinkies
tramped on sacred ground
to look blankly into a hole
they could never fathom
the depth cut
by that river grand

Damn the dam
that concrete and vile
structure that flooded
the peaceful pueblo
land as they drowned
in a wash of ground corn
under the blade of Navajo
tomahawks.

walk the bridge
look through the glass
and stare in wonder
whether the conversion
of simple people spiritual
journeys are bettered
by monetary sin.

let the grains of time
whither these walls
let the land be barren
and flat to reflect the
current nature
of this raped woman
who once satisfied the
hunters and gathers
of this native desert sand