The poem that was once on the top of this page. "No Beads" has been taken down. A revised version will appear (perhaps under a different title) in the journal Popt Art, edited by Jessica Lynn Hartman. I thank her for the opportunity. "Fighting Stance" will remain here, though I may edit this as well. As it is the third anniversary of Mike's death as of January 201, I may write something new.
Fighting Stance
For Mike Amado
How does self-proclaimed warrior
bestow additional role of shaman
on oneself for oneself, doing both
in spite of possible tribal charter? Does doing both
cause softening of warrior
calluses, spirits giving silent treatment to shaman?
Perhaps you were enough shaman
to divine inevitability of fate, use both
shaman’s wisdom and last battle cry of warrior.
Warrior’s stance, shaman’s chant, both served you well.
For Mike Amado
How does self-proclaimed warrior
bestow additional role of shaman
on oneself for oneself, doing both
in spite of possible tribal charter? Does doing both
cause softening of warrior
calluses, spirits giving silent treatment to shaman?
Perhaps you were enough shaman
to divine inevitability of fate, use both
shaman’s wisdom and last battle cry of warrior.
Warrior’s stance, shaman’s chant, both served you well.
