“half-blood” by Justene Dion-Glowa

June 5, 2024

Poetry Pause is the League of Canadian Poets’ daily poetry dispatch. This June, Poetry Pause celebrates Indigenous and LGBTQI2S+ poets for Indigenous History Month and Pride Month! Read “half-blood” by Justene Dion-Glowa. Due to its formatting, this poem is only available as an image.

half-blood

By Justene Dion-Glowa

If my ancestors could see me plump and soft well-fed cupboards full of food I can buy through nothing but my own grit They would see the strength of our people and Creator reflecting in my eye shine There are times when I see my rounded supple tummy and long for something sleeker hotter something conventionally attractive a slender frame: not made for a life of hardship As my moccasins tap a little tune shaking the tops of my girthy thighs spoons taping along to the rhythm I consider how lucky I am
To have a weight I must carry physically rather than some other way: painful and embarrassing hurting for generations If my ancestors could see me they would see the stories of our people: of turtles and oceans of bison and bear Of how they all felt so sorry for us two-leggeds naked, defenseless, starving – And sacrificed themselves in whole to care for us food fur fibre So I starve no longer. meager not in my blood.

Copyright © Justene Dion-Glowa

Justene Dion-Glowa is a queer Métis person originally from Winnipeg and currently living in Secwepemcúl’ecw. They work in the non-profit sector. They are an alum of Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Their first full length colection of poetry, Trailer Park Shakes, is available from Brick Books.

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