STORMING NORTHWARD

JUSEPE GUTIÉRREZ

Kansas, 1601

Oñate is never satisfied.

He already conquered the pueblos, but now

he craves these grasslands, wild prairies

with vast herds of massive creatures,

huge bison that assure us we are no longer

just seekers of treasure.

We need meat,

but while we hunt,

hidden hunters watch us and learn

how to master our powerful

horsemanship skills.

All it takes is a few runaway mares

to change everything forever, making Osage men

swifter than us and more skilled at riding

bareback.