POWERFUL POETRY, ALBEIT TACTLESS

The poem from page 38 of Ten Little Indians by Sherman Alexie, one of my favorite authors, and a Spokane native (quite literally).

Poverty

When you're poor and hungry

And you love your dog

You share your food with him

There is no love like this

when you're poor and hungry

And your dog gets sick

You can't afford to take him

To the veterinarian

You can't afford to put him gently to sleep

So your uncle comes over for free

And shoots your dog twice in the head

And buries him in the town dump.