Tanka by Geert Verbeke

 

 

                                        after midnight
                                        no calls of condolence
                                        but too much bourbon
                                        the headache in the morning
                                        curses the dazzling light
 
 
 
                                        a rock formation
                                        with a lot of erosion
                                        and petroglyphs
                                        broad-shouldered men
                                        with shamanic power
 
 
 
                                        a basketmaker
                                        is talking with the birds
                                        about a long life
                                        in his left hand he holds
                                        two old prayersticks
 
 
 
                                        a deer Katchina
                                        painted on a crimson rock
                                        with black dots
                                        on the middle of his face
                                        four eagle tail feathers
 
                                         (dedicated to Dominic Gaudious)
 

 

                                        he combines
                                        jazz and rock influences
                                        to conjure
                                        engaging new music
                                        between laughing and crying