William the Indian
plays a harmonica
on the city mall,
dances a waltz,
passes his hat,
gets thrown out
of restaurants
for singing
"Stout-hearted Men,"
says it takes
imagination and faith
and even Christ
washed the feet

On the city mall
the Indian Chief
follows the signs,
weeps for his family,
shakes a brown
polyester leg at me,
says he fished his pants
out of the trash,
asks me
if it looks like it.

               
  -1986
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