Some called it a miracle when Indian corn
popped in the 7-11 donut case, and iron
hatchets filleted venison at Dairy Queen.
Some called it a marvel that smoke blue
from cigarettes spelled out “CROATOAN”
and Iroquois fricatives ricocheted in churches.
Some called it extreme when ghosts in breeches
taught history from Montessoris to community
colleges, and poor students quaked in stockades.
Some called it outrageous that a dollar bill
bore the legend “United Powhatan Confederacy”
and a hologram of Queen Virginia Dare IX.
Some called it creepy when a white doe
appeared at the Kiwanis’ banquet and led
the mayor to a tree fort older than any tree.
Some called it astounding to recover papers
collected by Sir Walter Raleigh, positing time
as a pulsing palimpsest kaleidoscope snowflake.
Some called it inevitable that the land would recall
the mixed blood and clashing in God’s name,
the roots and ruins, these unspoken shades.