Warmed by smallpox

A poetry piece dealing with the oppression of Native Americans

The once-noble savage
peddles at the smoke shop.
“Feather not dot,” pa used to joke
at the caricature behind the counter

In the land of the free,
stolen from the brave,
Tonto rides alone
in a beat-up Chevy.

wounded by greed
murdered by charity
mourned by none

The trail of tears
leads to a casino in Calera.
Booze and blackjack heal all wounds.

The forked tongues’ promised change
given back pull by pull

Warmed by smallpox
cooled by fire
dignity and an island
sold for a box of broken thermostats