two braids
Rosanna Deerchild (Cree)
2017
5th Grade
on my first day
of kindergarten
mama weaves
two braids
so tightly
as if they will never let go
too tight i fuss pull
at my temples
she loosens stitches
spit shines them
into long perfect arrows
wraps and wraps
tips into exclamation
points memories
entwined
of her first day at residential school
of falling wisps of hair
of never going home
mama kisses my forehead
lips a warm berry
on my brown skin
sends me on my way
i wave smile back
my braids bounce
behind me
a reminder of who i am
always pointing me
back home