LISTEN

modern anthropology
gabriel duncan

I was walking in circles
investigating the remains
of a modern native american encampment
keeping step to a round dance
stomping every now and then
they told me it would scare away the snakes
deep in grass valley,
I came to a meadow with a mound
in the middle of the field
we're still awaiting the returns from the soil samples

etched deep into the earth, flattened on the sides
was a circle-- my feet lead the way
and I began walking
slowly at first, tapping from toe to heel
then faster; and louder until . . .
I found a feather
it was blue, small; from a turkey

slowly, I rose, again, and continued my dance
fuzzy, synthetic buffalo hair, blue-bird
never disturbing their resting places
there was even an eagle feather
I tried to imagine people in full regalia
keeping time to the thundering drum and the singing

I looked up when I heard the sounds
distant in the past-- I almost saw them