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.