Sharpening teeth on caribou ribs
barely cooked over a winter’s picnic fire ~
blood ran down their chins;
holy harbinger of things to come
as sure as migration in early winter;
surely as cracked fragments
gather moss and children’s souls
in permafrost conditions
this old land finds itself.
He looked angelic
but enjoyed water guns filled with gas
and loose dogs
scrounging through old garbage~
worse, remainders of his meals
hoarded and stuffed, held and fecal
rolled down like stones
as evidence of what had happened
on one hunting trip into the barren lands.
I cracked your old code, Timmy:
Fire and stone you will stand as
whenever I remember your harsh cold country.
Author notes
The Inukshuk (pronounced IN-OOK-SHOOK) meaning "in the image of man", are magnificent lifelike figures of stone which were erected by the Inuit people and are unique to the Canadian Arctic. Standing along Canada's most northern shores, they endure as eternal symbols of leadership, encouraging the importance of friendship and reminding us of our dependence upon one another.
In a list
A contest entry
- Crack A Rib by Cannonsfire.
1000 points, ended August 6, 2008, 14 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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wow...
This is really great! A piece of history with imagination mixed into poetry. I really like this and very beautifully written. Best wishes in this contest. wow...
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ah, thank you my webbed-foot friend....do you have the ark built yet?
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oops...forgot these....
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great poem, the Inukshuk can now be found in other parts of Canada. They are creeping into the scenery in Northwestern Ontario
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Oh, they have become real commodities..you see them everywhere.... but the ones I know, I know by heart. *smile*
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I read your words and always think... this is my new favorite piece. I have seen these figures through my own eyes. I long to return to Canada soon. Love Juls
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ty 49.... most techers love to keep track, to hear how things are going..I never ask..I worry....
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Always these stories fascinate, this is written by a soul who knows and has seen. Love, C
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Ah, yes.... all too well, sometimes.
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