Tanka

by Marquell Wells

        Buffalo Solider
how did you get your name?
Why not berserker
man cloaked in bear-
skins, or
Black Wolf.

        Buffalo Solider
how did you get your name?
Could it be from ancient wars
against Native People
who saw you battle like the mighty
        Western Buffalo
stand, take shot after shot, stand
Or from mocking white-
        men
that witness you fight with
ferocious tenacity
stampede over enemies
leave them in rolling dust clouds
like the great
Braves.