Poem: Blues-ing on the Brown Vibe by Esther Belin

Dear Readers,

Lately I've been intrigued by the poetry of Native American writers. Their stories often go untold, but carry powerful messages nevertheless. About two months ago, while browsing through the Poetry Foundation's website, I came across this poem written by Navajo artist and writer Esther Belin. It is my hope that you all appreciate the meaning behind this piece just as much as I did upon first reading it. If you know of any other Native American poets or writers, please feel free to share their works right here at Reading Soup.

-The Soup Chef

Blues-ing on the Brown Vibe

By Esther Belin

I.

And Coyote struts down East 14th.

looking good

feeling the brown

melting into the brown that loiters

rapping with the brown in front of the Native American Health Center

talking that talk

of relocation from tribal nation

of recent immigration to the place some call the United States

home to many dislocated funky brown

ironic immigration

more accurate tribal nation to tribal nation

and Coyote sprinkles corn pollen in the four directions

to thank the tribal people

          indigenous to what some call the state of California

          the city of Oakland

for allowing use of their land.

II.

And Coyote travels by greyhound from Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA thru

Dinetah

to Oakland, California, USA

laughing

Interstate 40 is cluttered with RVs from far away as Maine

traveling and traveling

to perpetuate the myth

Coyote kicks back for most of the ride

amused by the constant herd of tourists

amazed by the mythic Indian they create

at a pit stop in Winslow

Coyote trades a worn beaded cigarette lighter for roasted corn

from a middle-aged Navajo woman squatting

in front of a store

and Coyote squats alongside the woman

talking that talk

of bordertown blues

of reservation discrimination

blues-ing on the brown vibe

a bilagaana snaps a photo

the Navajo woman stands 

holding out her hand

requesting some of her soul back

instead

she replaces her soul with a worn picture of George Washington on a dollar bill

and Coyote starts on another ear of corn

climbing onto the Greyhound

the woman

still squatting

waiting

tired of learning not to want

waits there for the return of all her pieces.

III.

And Coyote wanders

right into a Ponca sitting at the Fruitvale Bart station

next to the Ponca is a Seminole

Coyote struts up to the two

"Where ya'all from?"

And Ponca replies

"Oooklahooma"

pause

the Seminole silent watches a rush of people climb in and out of the train

headed for Fremont

the Seminole stretches his arms up and back stiff from the wooden benches

pause

he pushes his lips out toward the Ponca slowly gesturing that he too is from Oklahoma

Coyote wanders

"where 'bouts?"

the Ponca replies

"Ponnca City"

pause

the Seminole replies

"Seminoole"

Coyote gestures to the Ponca

"You Ponca?"

the Ponca nods his head in affirmation

Coyote nods his head in content

to the Seminole

Coyote asks

"You Seminole?"

pause

the Seminole now watching some kids eating frozen fruit bars

nods his head

and Coyote shares his smokes with the two

and ten minutes later

they travel together on the Richmond train

headed for Wednesday night dinner at the Intertribal Friendship House.

IV.

And Coyote blues-ing on the urban brown funk vibe

wanders

in and out of existence

tasting the brown

rusty at times

worn bitter from relocation.