A Cree Maiden

By Richard L. Provencher

Fri, 03 Aug 2012
  • 880 reads
2 comments
 

Not so nice a sight in 1967
days when booze ruled.

I remember tourists
shouting as if it
was normal entertainment
a lady of native origin

drunked up a sad sight
holding up the train
brochures called the Polar Bear
Express but going nowhere
this very moment her
hands wrapped around the

railway steel an ample
girth keeping the two OPP
constables sweating
in their tunics
as they grappled with
her fingers

the train blowing its horn
crowd in no hurry to depart
the scene and I heard her
huffing with each blow
rained against her
shoulders and arms
two burly uniforms unable to
unclench strong fingers
locked in an ancient battle.

I quietly cheered her
stubbornness never mind
the boozy intake
I’m sure she guzzled more
than a few mouthfuls
but I was not her
enemy and raised my arm
in support of her intentions to
delay the train
to prevent these fine people from
worlds beyond her village
of tents and forgotten dreams

I trembled in her defiance
and I too mouthed the words
I’m sure she wished to exclaim
in my English tongue:
this is my land
this is my land.

© Richard L. Provencher

Certificate U
Poem
POETRY - A Passage of Motion 3
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Parson Thru on
A very touching reflection Richard. I must re-start Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee. It's that Property thing again. Causing problems all over the 'discovered' world. Was talking with someone about the problems caused by the imposition of borders in Africa on people who follow the seasons for grazing. Land grabbing and straight lines drawn on maps. Nicely written.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on
Hello PT---I have had the pleasure with working extensively on difficult issues re Aboriginals, especially whether Reserves are a hindrance or of any value. Sadly I believe they foster the destruction of a way of life slipping away into serious social issues. From my experiences with Social Services, I can easily argue the same applies to our Ghetto Housing I call it, these mass housing collections for our lower end (financial) residents. I worked in Toronto's Regent Park South where 4,000 people lived, 80% of whom were one parent families; just too many of common ilk with too jaundiced a view on life. Many fancy new buildings have replaced the old, but the mix is the same. I was raised in such Housing and understand the good and bad points. Your comments on my work are very welcome. Thank you. Regards, Richard.
Richard L. Provencher