Wizzdumb

What has life taught me?
Almost nothing.
I have bit my nails
A little too far;
Seen the blood, felt
The regret.

I've looked too long
At the breast
Peeking out
Of the top of the dress.

I have walked because
Walking was all I could do;
Just walked and walked--
It took hours to get home.

I have smoked cigarettes
Too fast and thrown up,
I have cried, Jesus Christ,
I have cried.

My fingers have smelt like
Onions--my breath has been bad,
My knee cracks, my hair recedes.

But ask me what I've learned,
And listen to the wind. It's not
The wind of Native American spirituality,
I can tell you that.