Line 1

It is important to single out the first line in "For the White poets who would be Indian" because it makes a significant point about the individuals addressed in the work. The line is actually a continuation of the title, which is itself a prepositional phrase that seems to open a sentence. (Notice that the main words in the title are not all capitalized as they would be normally.) The words "just once" indicate that the "White poets" for whom the poem is written would really want to "be Indian" only one time, if they were given the chance. This is the first touch of sarcasm from the poet, as she calls into question the sincerity of non-Native Americans who claim they would like to be a part of Indian culture.

Lines 2-3

These lines continue the irony, implying that white writers would be Native American "just...