Memory of Red Cloud’s Granddaughter

          I’m back behind the cosmetics counter.

          I left here a year ago &
          enrolled at the state university.
          As a single mother & a Native American
          I wanted better for my two sons.
          I wanted to be a role model for them.

           My first semester was a success so
          the school gave me a scholarship.
          Then over the holidays my ex got out of jail &
          came up to the reservation drinking & fighting.
          I was there visiting my mother.
          She was dying.
          It all started to pile up.

          The spring semester I fell behind.
          The school tried to help with tutors.
          My sister took the boys.
          My ex was back in jail.
          Time went clicking by.
          In the end I barely passed my classes
          except biology which I failed.
          The biology professor was from back east.
          I don’t think he liked our people.

          I wasn’t able to be enthusiastic
          about school after that so now
          I’m back doing makeovers from
          behind the cosmetics counter.
          But I don’t think I’ll stay.
          I have a new boyfriend &
          he wants to go somewhere else. 

                                                                                Thomas Stein