civ·i·li·za·tion:
five syllable word meaning
Overwhelm the indigenous
kill them if they get in the way;

also:
a white columned balcony for
viewing the others from above.

res·er·va·tion:
four syllable word meaning
Doubt the size of Mount Rushmore,
extending like plains barren of bison;
Caution the size of black hills hiding ores;

also:
a place where refuse called
a food commodity is sent.

If you came looking for rhyme
there is none like there is no reason
a white man writes these things
and doesn’t wear the ego onesie
of cultural forebears.

Like a pale face freckled with freckles
first hated, loved only in hindsight,
angel kisses fading like the Sioux
bodies in South Dakota snow
faded into white.