Red Painted Woman

Red-Painted Woman

(Para mi Abuela/For my grandmother)

Red-Painted Woman

I hear you

Calling—

Calling from

the edge

of the rusted

Earth

Where you 

Wait

wait for the rain’s

waters

to fill your

bowl,

Wait for the dust

to be

cleaned from 

the soles 

of your feet

Restless,

you wander

the Sonoran desert

as you scatter

your seed

eager to feed

the life you 

came from

starved to find

the resting place

you call home.

Red-Painted Woman

I hear the songs

you whisper

through my hair

I hear the rattle 

Of your beat

In the desert’s 

Deep

Belly.

I am here now

Sit—

Empty your

Bowl

Let me wash

the soles

of your feet.

It is time to sleep

now,

It is time to sleep.