Paul Merchant
Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
Dream Catchers
The dream catchers hanging above your bed;
the dust of umbilical cords shrouded
in deerskin pouches at the bottom
of your sock drawer; and placentas
planted under aspens in the garden
are not enough to save your suyàpi
A Salish word for “white person.”
life.
One cul-de-sac morning, surrounded
by homes of urologists and investment bankers,
the black dog with the grizzly head
will pounce.
Written in 2008.