Moontime Warrior

If you knew how proud they are
that you made it to the age of 16
21
twenty-five
30
thirty-six
age 10.
in this province built up
on the devastation of universes and bodies like ours
you might never feel lonely again.

The next time you wonder if life is easier
outside of all your dark-hair, dark-sky isolation
(because we all do)
The next time you wonder if life would be easier
if you took those northern lights flashing under your dark skin
and set them free:

Remember it wasn’t the bare bone rations of canadian benevolence
but the knowledge of you
that fed your ancestors through
those naturally long / unnaturally starved prairie winters.

And your warm skin is their prophecy of spring
in full bloom

CBC: ‘This is a crisis’: 4th girl takes own life in northern Saskatchewan