skinning a rabbit

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.