Escuintles              

 

Have you met the dogs

In the De Young Museum?

You can see them

Behind glass

 

In the Mesoamerica 

Room; it’s almost like

A pet shop.

 

Olmec, I think, they’re 

Like chihuahuas
But plump, 

The color of dust.

 

My favorite

Is scratching 

At his fleas.

 

Another is lounging

Just like every lazy

Dog you’ve ever seen

On a hot, hot day.

 

But this fellow’s been 

Lounging since before Cortes 

Came, maybe long before.

 

Study their faces. 

I swear you can see 

Which ones lick 

And which ones bite.

 

Written By: Jason Szydlik

About the Author: Jason Szydlik studied poetry at City College.