Potsherd

Coils of clay
Squeezed between taut fingertips so callously left in the sun.
Baked in a fire of scrub-oak and sage.
Both woman and earth hardened by the passage of time.
~~~
Circular patterns
Surround the small, humped yei with pigment of charcoal and root.
Survivor of the great ancient tribe.
Carved in the dark varnish of solid red sand.
~~~
Coyote barks
To the beat of nocturnal wings, watching colored canyons change.
Turn from bright orange to muted grey.
Alluvial fans flow in the dust of water spirits.
~~~
Human souls
Emerged from the womb of crimson earth with new knowledge.
To wander the wastelands, flute in hand.
Potter and poet are buried beneath the valley wall.


Kiyotei
16 Dec 93