This Wound is a World

the cree word for a body like mine isweesageechak. the old ones know of this kind of shape-shifting: sometimes i sweat and sweat until my bones puddle on the carpet in my living room and i am like the water that comes before new life.

i was born during a falling leaves moon; which is to say that i have always been good at sacrifice. it is believed that women are most powerful during their moontime and because of this do not take part in ceremonies in order to let the body cleanse itself. there areweesageechakdays when gender is a magic trick i forgot how to perform and my groin floods and floods trying to cleanse itself like the women and i too become toxic for men who have built cages of out of broken boys.

FromThe Cree Word for a Body Like Mine is WeesageechakinThis Wound is a Worldby Billy-Ray Belcourt2017. Published by Frontenac House.