Indian Silversmiths

Indian Silversmiths
by Johnny Rustywire
We all come from separate places.
The sun breaks and we gather in one place,
one large room with many work benches...
the smell of hot coffee percolating...
thoughts scattered … and we begin talking.
Radios turn on,
sounding out country and rock.
Voices begin to buzz.
A laugh is heard amid the clanging of tools and hammers.
Someone sings a 49 song and a few join in.

"What happened last night?"
"What's going on this weekend?"
"Maybe I'll head home."
"I heard there is a Pow-Wow."
"There is a squaw dance to visit."

hammers banging,
torches burning....

think on the design…
work fast…
look at the turquoise…
go with the silver....
feel it… shape it
pound it...

EEEYAAAAH, it feels good...
let me be good...
silver solder run well,
cut straight lines...

We laugh, we cry, we play ball at lunch...
We come from Maine and California, Florida and Washington
and even from Canada…
Bloods, Mohawk, Sioux, Apache, Lumbee, Shawnee, Navajo,
and even a real Cherokee…
all working to make jewelry:
rings, bracelets, turquoise and concho belts...
simple and fancy

We scatter at sunset to wherever home may be…
until the sun breaks on a new day and we begin our song again.

rustywire