the rainy season peaks between the months from May to June producing vibrant green fields of grasses
mixed with wildflowers endless grass prairies dissolve into sharply eroded gullies ravines canyons
creating mesas buttes from which hills pinnacles spires emerge where
the buffalo did roam and the deer and the antelope did play once upon a time
the land to the immediate south of the badlands is an enormous prairie which begins to break apart
into fissures that cut into the plain creating irregular plateaus
the remaining months dry the soil fix the terrain softer sedimentary rocks and clay-rich soils are
eroded by wind and water badlands often have a spectacular color display that alternates
from the dark black blue coal stria to light clays or red cindery vesicular basaltic lava
the Oglala Lakota nation co-manage half of Badlands National Park
he takes monofilament fishing line and ties it to either side of a nexus tablet.
he hangs the tablet from a hollow tube stuck in the ground in the
tall grass on a mesa overlooking the eastern rim of the badlands.
the wind blows the tablet away from the hollow rod.
the wind blows through the hollow aluminum rod whistling
a jogger runs on the screen of the nexus tablet.
the jogger was video recorded running in Prospect Park Brooklyn.
conversation of unknown origin by unknown speakers
(do you have a steak? he asks the waitress.
we have a philly steak sandwich.
sorry. I want a regular steak.
he overhears the owner of the establishment tell
someone they worship the cow.
he felt tribal and astonished in the kitchen.)
this conversation was appropriated from somewhere
it probably did not occur in
Hot Springs South Dakota home to a
Subway Dairy Queen Pizza Hut Taco John's
while staying at a
Motel Six Econo Lodge
the image of a runner in the sky
over the badlands in the South Dakota sky
a fixed image of a runner in the sky
above the badlands in the sky
the legs and arms are moving
the runner is running in place
there are clouds in the sky.
