BROTHER WOLVERINE
girl child
they took you so far away
upriver I hear
the mailboat whistle
my heart jumps
waiting for words from you
snaa’
I miss you
When the children shout
down by the slough and
when I see leaves of k’eey
dance in the white wind
in pictures you sent
you wear the fawnskin parka
I sewed with little sinew stitches
by the light of our coal-oil lamp
around your face I see
the gray ruff of Wolverine
he has yeega’ of power
his ruff can stop
the winter winds
from freezing your breath
into needle of ice–
I give you his fur
Wolverine, we call Doyon
the Chief
snarled in my trap
bared his teeth, bit the air
it was his last battle
he came home with me
Brother Wolverine
let your fur warm my girl child
guard her in far strange places
make her fearless like you
do not let her forget us
Brother Wolverine