“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 โ€“ And sacrificed themselves in whole to care for us food fur fibre So I starve no longer. meager not in my blood.

Copyright ยฉ Justene Dion-Glowa

Justene Dion-Glowa is a queer Mรฉtis person originally from Winnipeg and currently living in Secwepemcรบl’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.

Subscribe to Poetry Pause, or support Poetry Pause with a donation today!

Browse the Poetry Pause archives