poems

By Solomon Cyr

When the life and the light of dignity is denied,
and when justice is overlooked,
and when equality is only granted by assimilation,
and when demoralization is the only gift that is given in return for all that we gave,
and when our autonomy has been compromised,
and when our value system has been overlook
and despised,
and our humanity is debased,
and when we are governed by the tyranny
of the foreign majority,
and when the fiduciary obligation becomes
undignified charity,
and when the paradigms are devised to ensure
our destruction,
then we know that the fight to survive has begun!

(This is a reflection on the plight that we have been brought from.  It is not a lament but rather a declaration of the intent to survive. )

Solomon Cyr is Cree, 27, from George Gordon First Nation

As you left, you painted my sky grey.
It’s not your fault.
Maybe it’s better this way.
You deliver misery just like you do.
You left the negative behind.
As I burn in flames, it’s not so bad.
Burning with shame: What did I say?
We were more than real.
Why must you be so beautiful?
Everything you take, my heart was a steal
No shame. I imagine how you must feel?
I wonder if you feel innocent.
Cause when you’re gone I feel so guilty.
I lost you in the slow motion clouds.
I try to follow, but you’re too fast.
So I’m here waiting for her again.
But you don’t want to know who I am.
The strength of silence exists in you.
“Screw this guy and his feelings too!”
Is that what you thought?
Throw me away like something you bought.
I thought you were true, but you’re someone your not.
It feels so familiar: getting left behind.
Waiting to find the one to be by my side.
Sure I’ll change my compassion.
I’m certain that I’ll change my ways.
I don’t know if you will come back my way.
I ask myself when will we be true.
Never because my ticket wasn’t good enough for you.
Us as a couple is always in my mind.
But I guess you can never be mine!

Jide Henry is 24 years old and from Lac Seul. He enjoys going to pow-wows, singing, dancing, writing, drawing and reading SEVEN. Henry loves sports, especially hockey, and in the past few years, he’s taken on a new role as a community volunteer by coaching the Lac Seul women’s broomball teams.