I am from the angry days,
from the long days at a useless
school and hours of homework
that discouraged me to keep going.
I am from the two-story piece of crap
shack in which I spend my days
From days of just binge watching basketball
I am from the tall trees and low bushes
surrounding the reservation, the mossy,
murky waters of turtle lake
I am from the heavy drinking and the
subtle homophobia forged deep within me,
and from my father and my mother, obviously
I am from the drinking to remember and the drinking to forget.
I am from just a small belief in a God. From the
hope that he had a plan for me. Or at least a part of someone else’s life
I'm from the Wellpinit Reservation, from the same old
house a mile away from my birthplace.
From the powwow visits, the dances, and my own traditions
Arnold Sr. is a man who has given up, he is not much of a leader but he is a big part of Junior's life.
I am from old textbooks, kraft mac and cheese and empty gas cans .
I am from the small shack in the congregation of poor people
I am from the tall trees, the murky, green lake full of spirits
I am from my father’s nightly trips to the casino and the heavy drinking following it, from Arnold Spirit Sr. and Mary Spirit and Grandmother Spirit
I am from the lazy days in the blistering heat and long days at school.
I am from the subtle prayer before every nervous moment
I'm from the Spokane Indians and the traditional meals
From the awkward silences, the short moments of bravery, and the years of keeping quiet in the corner
I am from the poor reservation in the middle of nowhere
I am from the small town school in a small town
I am a Spokane Indian with too much brain grease.
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| For you Zack |
Junior is Arnold's son, he is a leader because he is the only person on the reservation brave enough to leave the cycle and break through (that's for you Robbie).