Limping to a stop for a place next to me
ancient haggard face owned like a beggar
in a long gray coat, beat up muddy boots
Smoldering amber eyes, her gaze far off
she holds out a paw, “ Can I touch you?”
“Yes”, I give mine, “Cold hand, warm heart.
I’m running for life, taken by a golden bird
to Saturn, the rings glow so bright, brighter
then the crown of a queen or lady liberty.
They did bad things to me up there, near
killed me– You don’t believe it but it’s true.”
“Well, if you believe it, then it’s very real.”
Swimming in blood, harpooned like a seal
She hadn’t let go of my hand.
“You’re native, aren’t you? “Yes, I’m Yupik.”
“I don’t know your tribe.”
She laughs,
“Eskimo!”
She lets my hand go
the bus rolls up
“If you visit you me
you can fly too
everyone in Georgetown
knows me
just ask
the spirit guides.”
“Okay, nice to meet you.”
The bus pulls away–
days later people find her face down
in a park, another police car arrives.
