we trudge through snow up to our bums
drag frozen rabbits
stiff and red eyes watch our back
our tobaggon trails behind the ski-doo
the gas whirls and covers us
we breathe in deeply the fumes
are a glorious drug 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 