Anasazi (Poem Text)

Contents: Introduction Author Biography Poem Summary Themes Style Historical Context Critical Overview Criticism Sources For Further Study

Poem Text

Anasazi,
Anasazi,tucked up in clefts in the cliffs
growing strict fields of corn and beans
sinking deeper and deeper in earth               5
up to your hips in Gods
   your head all turned to eagle-down
   & lightning for knees and elbows
your eyes full of pollen
   the smell of bats.                            10
   the flavor of sandstone
   grit on the tongue.
   women
   birthing
at the foot of ladders in the dark.              15
trickling streams in hidden canyons
under the cold rolling desert
corn-basket      wide-eyed
   red baby
   rock lip home,                                20
Anasazi