Which train car would he tag? And how did he choose?
He would tell you there was no real method; it was all gut. Wolf guts: tooth and blood and earth instinct.
An eagle for Uncle Eddie, killed fighting on the Canadian side.
A hare for great-aunt Janice (she never liked pink, but he gave the hare rosy fur — a trapping family).
A hummingbird for his nohkom — lung cancer.
A bear cub for his kohkom — heart attack; overwork, and then heart attack.
A garden of newly-sprung wildflowers for the little brothers and sisters excavated from Canadian soil.
About the Creator
Jennifer A. G.
🇨🇦 Canadian Writer, Painter & Embroidery Artist
♾️ Métis Nation
🎓 University of Victoria Alumna
📝 Publications: The Malahat Review, Freefall Magazine, Geist, Best Canadian Poetry 2026
Keep reading
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Comments (1)
Ugh, wow. This is beautiful. Like a redemption of the ugliness that is tagging. I love the symbolism of each little picture and each family member. But I think I love the last line best. "A garden of newly-sprung wildflowers for the little brothers and sisters excavated from Canadian soil." There is so much here. So so much. What a way you have with words and storytelling. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻