Indian mask
in musty museum
gazing with wonderment
& awe
at tourists
who gaze at you
with wonderment
& awe

you see
steady stream
of humanity
all shapes
all sizes
you hear all
languages

you watch parents pulling
crying children
who are all too tired
to comprehend
awesome power
of ages past

I look to your
mute face
see you crack
smile
as I walk by

pulling my tired
daughter

Ed Edmo is an Elder, poet, storyteller and educator. Ed is Shoshone Bannock, Nez Perce, Yakama and Siletz, and lived at Celilo Village in his childhood. Ed Edmo conducts writing workshops, storytelling performances, and informational lectures.