while hiking with the group,
ingeniously she draws attention ’round
her like a mother’s danceshawl
by allowing just one shoe
to float downstream – how will
this child navigate? a train wreck
in the making or just
high-spirited, inventive?
secrets hidden in the beauty of her
bonepale skin and turquoise eyes

endangered prairie chicken, tell me –
flawless biscuit, playful eskimo, why –
your face a sunflower puzzle,
deep brown spirals in your
eyes, you were smaller than
the rest, eclipsed by your
big sister – how vulnerable? so
shocked at your attempted suicide
with vitamins in seventh grade
I’m frozen at the door

was it indigenous or inner
wisdom that allowed you to
bend gracefully to any task
before you? 14? you seemed
much older like a sunset
without guile like a rose
without rebellion reservation is your
country ruby of the colville
holds a jewel of granted
wishes in her quiet hand