When Aboriginals Were Natives

I can hear the sound of
empty rooms
from children emptying into
graves around the corner
not far past the weeds
on the reservation.

They’re called ‘First Nations’
now but it doesn’t
blunt the way it was

no electricity
no plumbing
outhouses as bad as can be
and hinges with no
doors to worry about

and when folks come back
for a modern visit
they’ll pass the old graveyard
back of the weeds
sneaking around behind
the new apartments
hoping everyone will forget
the way it was.

© Richard L. Provencher