Note: “Turtle Island” is the Anishinaabek name for North America
Turtle Island wakes
to America wailing,
“Razed, razed, all razed, plains
purple majesties
amber waves—I have become …”
“Hush, little nation,
you and I are dreams
swelling, nightmares crashing, blue
on alabaster.
Sun and wind beat us
into golden dust. Sleep, and we
will wake to new names.”
As America
falls still, Turtle Island weeps.
Seas cover cities.
dust 