“father god” by Kihêw Flamont

April 1, 2026

Poetry Pause is the League of Canadian Poets’ daily poetry dispatch. Read “father god” by Kihêw Flamont, part of the 2026 Poem in Your Pocket Day collection.

father god

By Kihêw Flamont

father god Because of the wind. Because lilacs are in bloom. Because it’s in the directions. Because that was the side you walked on then. -“Walk on the Left-Hand Side,” Michelle Poirier Brown The little tree hung at a cold crooked angle over my dash. -11 but you were always warm. Me too now. That rope rimmed your waist during the rucksack march that left you thick-skinned because of the wind. Sweat beads on my wrung neck wipe it on my jeans like you did in the Spring. The ground gave birth but you didn’t root like I presumed. Too warm maybe next year. Circles are meant to close— I guess it’s too soon because lilacs are in bloom. I’m angry in July. Mosquitos wring me of my blood. It’s too hot and the gravel skids along under my heavy feet; you never missed the correction “lazy people drag their feet” you’d say but I always thought you’d let go of it, because I’m the exception because it’s in the directions of how to be my father god. The news picked up on it “veteran, father… now ” I am teetering on the edge of the sidewalk, head lights blinding and a raven swoops at me—hope I don’t get tricked. I’m bound to this tight rope I fasten because that was the side you walked on then.

Copyright © Kihêw Flamont

Published as part of the 2026 Poem in Your Pocket Day collection.

Kihêw Flamont is a Métis student attending the University of Regina and will be finishing their BA Honours in English with a minor in History this year. While primarily working on the academic side of scholarship, they also dabble in Creative Writing. Their Honours thesis explores the reclaiming of Métis identity and trauma narratives through the theoretical lens. Kihêw can always be found with a stack of books and a backpack that is far too heavy. They anticipate continuing their education and Indigenous research pursuits through the U of R’s Master’s program.

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