we trudge through snow up to our bums
drag frozen rabbits
stiff red eyes watch our back
our tobaggon trails behind the ski-doo
the gas whirls and covers us
we breathe in the fumes
that keeps us coming back for more
if only
during the checking of snares
in the basement at grandma’s house
the white fur drips and thaws
a knife slices around fur
white bone glistens with blood
a wire is tied around waboose’s ankles
it hangs
sways in the air
blood drips
sprinkles on concrete
like confetti from a pinata
fingers grip around the fur
and with one quick rip
the entire skin comes completely off
and is thrown in a pail
on top of many more
i sit on the top step and the smell hits me
it is heavy
it is a metal taste stuck in my nose
and flows to the back of my mouth
after all these years,
the smell sticks with me like my own skin.
vera wabegijig 