Red, for Valentina Blackhorse

VINCENT HOSTAK

May 21, 2020

On April 23, 2020, Valentina Blackhorse died of complications from COVID-19 only a day after testing positive for the presence of virus. The Navajo Nation is particularly vulnerable to the virus.  She was an advocate for Navajo culture, won high-profile pageants, and was an expert jingle dancer.  She spoke fluent Diné, and dreamed of having a role in tribal council.

Red is the color of the scar

Red is the color of sacrifice

Sun in July that scalds the mesa’s head

The blooms of fire in the cholla bed

Red is in the sands

Slurries in arroyo flows

In gemstones from the mines

Red, on signs along the gurney trails

Red, alarms when breathing fails

Red.

Red, the color of sumac fruit

Red, the thread in saddle blankets

The banding on a male owl’s neck

The calling sound of death on deck

Red coats a painted butte

Falls from wintering desert oaks

Covers the dry creek floor

Red, in the folds of your jingle-dresses

Red, the sick your dancing blesses

Red.

VINCENT HOSTAK is a poet, essayist, filmmaker, and podcaster.  A longtime resident of Austin, TX, he resides now in Colorado, a hog’s hair away from wilderness. His poetry may be found in the print journal Sonder Midwest (#5).  His podcast on refugee resettlement in America: https://anchor.fm/crossingsrefugees.  Writer's blog:  https://vincenthostakdigital.com/.