“Awasee’s Picture Pose”
by Michelle Tsosie Sisneros

Acrylic/Pastel on Handmade Paper

Image: 16” x 6”
Framed: 24.5″ x 15″

Awasee’s Picture Pose

I walk along the dirt roads in and around our farm fields near the pueblo. I can see the Rio Grande river flowing gently.
It is beautiful in the early morning; I see the sacred Black Mesa looming,
The water flowing in the irrigation ditches
The breeze rustling the leaves of the giant cottonwood trees,
The air is fresh and clean.
As walk home…
I look and see this one – with his morning insect…sitting on the spindly cactus limb
Quietly looking at me.
We stare at each other when I ask if it okay if I take his picture.
He posed for me as I clicked the camera – I thanked him as he watched me walk away.