Inuit
Linda Hindman

He said that he wore his native skins
In New York city, laced ankle to hip
With fur
I imagined him astride that city
They may not have stared at the split coat
Nor noticed native grace
Sewn into leather with bone needles
Not quite carefree.
Looking tender as summer squash
Blooming out of snow
In our Carolina heat
He said
Canadians like the heavy girls the best
And we asked why
He said
Because of the cold,
--The thin ones die
We laughed
He seemed mock serious
But unsure, still I asked
Do you know one caught by that
Cold we cannot comprehend
Here where water is so warm that
Canadians come to swim in winter.
He answered from a face
Too young to be so widowed
And still searching the snow for her.
His child inside.

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