A Calf Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

A calf

Sure, do not remember
Where was I that moment?

When was it?
What happened?

I drove and stopped,
Picked little Earth and dust,
Enough to fill my palm
With mud of Saskatchewan…

Saw North Light
Aurora,
A sort of Eureka
Was hidden in the dust
Magic Lamp
Rose an elf,
Or dwarf
Or midget?

Came moment of "Aha, "
It was calf, Buffalo…

We spoke…

I was child
Calf, a toy
Or Logo?

In distance was cloud
Kissing Earth as do fogs.

Surprised
Mystified

When is it?
Where am I?
I am shocked!

Flickered in calf's eyes
Sort of light, Aurora!

Manito was our God
Heard him talk:
"You two are siblings…"

I smiled,
Around us spirits
Of water and trees
And currents, lot of fish
Swam up stream.

All racing, competing
To reach home
To lay eggs.

My toy sang a death song,
Departed dust of palm,
Hurricane and thunder
With Thirst Dance
Warriors and Braves…

Saw arrows and drums,
Herds headed for the pound,
There I saw Chief Big Bear,
Poundmaker and Bobtail,
Sweetgrass and Fine-Day,
Lucky Man, Small Child…

I drove and stopped,
Picked little Earth and dust,
Enough to fill my palm
With mud of Saskatchewan…

Sure, do not remember,
Where was I that moment?

When was it?
What happened?

Opened eyes, saw papers,
Dominion, British Congress,
Saw the Sixty-Seven
With Eighteen Hundred…