Breath - Maeengan Linklater

It's good
to be mindful
of your breath
in life and death
from the turbulant
joy of birth
when you escape
into the world
from your mother's womb

Breathing
is your silent companion
never judging
the decisions
you have made
experiencing
the impacts of your relations

In the twilight
of your life
and reflections
your breathing
becomes
shallower
shallower
shallower

Dancing in my heart

You dance
in my heart
to your own
rhythm
and beat
dancing
with happiness
bringin me
joy

Indigenous Kootenays

In the Kootenays
surrounded
by mountains
shadowing
over me

When I’m here
a giant foot
will crash down
covering me

In sand
suffocating
my lungs
slicing
my body
with jagged rock
leaving my pulse
to fade away
bleeding
with this
new mountain range

I’m going
to hear
generations
of blond children
looking
for remains
of peace
order
and
good government

My spirit
is going to rise
float through cracks
inching higher
towards the top
I’m going
to wake spirits
of dead Indians
buried underneath
Kaslo
Nelson
and, Castlegar

Telling them

“It’s okay
time to go
back home”

I’m going
to see them
spawn
generations
of Indians

Indigenous
Kootenays

Reborn
in these mountains

Reborn
without land claims

Reborn
in their territory

When
we’re at the top
of the mountain
at night
we’ll look down
at their fires
sparkling
like diamonds
in summer’s dew
knowing
in the morning
the spirit world
will blanket
the earth

We’ll wake up
where the clouds
kiss the mountain tops
in morning mist

I’ll say
goodbye
to my body
buried
in the mountain
look forward
to my life
anew

Wallet Photograph - Maeengan Linklater

if I give you
a photograph
of me
would you
place me
in your wallet?
keep me warm
when you sit down?

Colonized Spirits - PTSD

Cobblestone sidewalks
bleeding
Indian spirit

Colonized
by pavement
over sand
footprints
bones

Lurking
in shadows
looking at
white people
dreaming

Indians
can’t dream
blocked
by orange
street lights
humming

Smothered
bent over
cop cars
street corners
with pants
down to ankles

Take my children

Again

Turn them
into you

Full of social justice
with god
by their side
in a land
of opportunity

Imagine - Maeengan Linklater

Imagine
my heart
in your palm
again

Innocent
freshly
laid snow
from winter’s storm
melting close
to your body

I would
listen
to your heartbeat
dance
with your shadow
in the hallway
of our memories

Little Cub with his Little Fangs - Maeengan Linklater

I can see you

Sneaking
in the grass
your tail
dancing
in the wind
through blades
of green

I’m stretched out
yawning
in summer’s breeze
eyes
barely open
dreaming of wild game
open sky

You’re getting closer
getting ready
your fur
stands at attention
one pounce
one kill

You fly
through the air
claws extended
a cub’s roar

You tumble
with your prey
tangled
in daddy’s tail
growling

Little cub

I’m proud
of you
and your little fangs

Ocean - Maeengan

I'm in love
with you
breathing air
at the surface
floating
in your ocean

Spirit World Dream by Maeengan Linklater

at night
sleeping soundly
holding hands
breathing in rhythm
sharing the same dream
in the spirit world
i touch my image
reflected in you
holding your flame
heating my womb
giving birth to you
for when we wake up
drinking from summer’s dawn
would we recall
our moment
together?

Juicy by Maeengan Linklater

I find you juicy
Sweet
Delectable
To eat

Allowing fingers
To soak
With
An ice cream tongue

Creating waves
Ripples
Bathing me
In your joy