Cedar Fever (1890)

by Juan Manuel Perez

deep among cedars
English-speakers in red-face
deeds they shouldn't do

pretending pagan
contradicting true values
here chanting despite

praying to false gods
painted up in wrong colors
prancing in the sphere

whatever made you:
think this was indigenous
think this was the way

yellow-green spirit
straight from an old woodsman's tale
here is your god now

cutting your right hand
cauterizing your left leg
crushing your one skull

yes, your god loves you
you have him undivided
as he divides you