Political Gesture to the Red Lake Band

Red Lake, Minnesota, September 1966

Gesture in the pine cone's glint
is barely gold anymore petals
the wind blown lake shines

I am indistinguishable
from the climax of these children
leaning against the tin cans
and deserted autos

While the politicians clamor
glimmer through the
screendoor slams and down the path
aides are chewing grass and
strange smiles

One has a square eye that rolls about
and dares not honk the horn
that will bring them out

But instead gestures to his
smile dropping in the pine cones
brighter than a petal
floats on the Red Lake

Copyright © David Dwinell 2003

He Wouldn't Be a Farmer

My brother
Always forgets:

Looking in the door,
The shed,
Dark blue shadows there;

My eyes slowly
Adjust squirm,

White bones,
The maggots swirl;
They burn time quickly.

He said, "Oh, yeah,
I forgot
To feed that."

Copyright © David Dwinell 2003

Duluth Spring

The snow old men with
Snoose spittle on chin
Waiting for the last
Bus to Nopeming; but,
The change froze in their hands—
And the slowly receding
Back slips our mind.

Copyright © David Dwinell 2003