The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide
Notes About The Poem
A recent road trip through Washington and the mountainous urbanization was eye opening.

Digital Smoke Signals

Digital Smoke Signals
                          by Odin Roark

Yesterdays keep pushing todays into tomorrows,
Yet history’s boyhood games
Remain in limbo with sand paintings
Holding imagination delicate
In earth colors eternal.

From past days shared by ancient shamans,
Now but museum daguerreotype photos,
The smell of clay oven bread,
Sage smoke healing,
The hunt’s curing for winter survival,
All remain layers unvanquished by wind and rain

Such make-believe streaming from 
Small fists of dust in blood red and granite gray
Images taught by great grandfather,
Remain cherished lessons from
Yesteryear’s shared trust with nature.

I’m told the press and TV cameras are waiting.
Casino jackpots will be especially loose for the inaugural night.
After all, it’s not everyday a tribe can open their fifth strip mall.
As I stare at the fawn atop the hill behind,
Father says I need to cut the ribbon soon.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Mehta Avatar
September 18, 2013 at 12:57 AM
Nice expressions well penned, Odin
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace