Asphaltum

Asphaltum

Mudman

  Mud noma

    appellation:  Muro Dols

last seen in La Brea Tar Pits

searching for old bones

& discarded pet collars;

oxygen tank near at hand

steam still rises from black

oiled earth

sulphur wafts

Muro Dols stick searches muck

lifts a studded leather ring

up onto the bank

Slodurom his dog

runs over to sniff, tail wagging,barks

& circles the collar

crude oil spurts from below

a natural resource

Pioneer Gas Company

brings engineers & petrogeeks

down to the National  Natural Landmark

soon to buy the nearby 7/11

soon to be razed

a well dug right there on the city corner

of Wilshire & W 8th St.

to tunnel down & through native horse bones

to suck earth’s stuff

so man can drive thru

& steer down asphalt streets.