Priscilla Barton

When Crazy Horse Tends Bar

Jesus wore moccasins and braided
his hair. I met him at Wounded Knee
where he sat in the dirt crying blood.

Coyote hides behind billboards
on highways built over graves of
warriors who have never died.

The children of Geronimo race
across the moon on the backs of
wild horses while eagle feathers
hang from a cowboy's hat.

Buffalo nickels fall from heavy
skies as the Crown Dancer shuffles
neon feet on mountains that form
words with smoke.

I meet you in a bar where Indians
drink for free. You recite poetry
to beer bottles while crows sit on
the arms of Custer's statue.

You think yourself invisible and
become what you believe. I watch
you fade against the jukebox while
it plays your favorite song.

Priscilla Barton's work has been published online in Writers Quill, Red Coral, Some Words and SwanSong. Beloved poets include Robert Creeley, Richard Hugo, Charles Bukowski and Sherman Alexie.

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