Issue 57: Spring 2022

“A Dark Told Me (The Empty Ones)" and “Pandemia"

a dark told me/ your child is mine/ these desperate dogs/ scrambling after viscera

A Dark Told Me (The Empty Ones)
14 03 20

a dark told me
your child is mine
these desperate dogs
scrambling after viscera
the honour
just cow shit
stamped
into grooves
under boots
i should kill you
where you stand
you promise me hell
but you
an army of wendigo
no balance
to your trickster
no joy
in your games
you only bring death
because you are dead
you bob and float
you bob and float
cannot see
you're already gone


Pandemia
08 04 20

why are there so many bottles of water
cool bottles of water
in the industrial cooler
at her majesty's disposal
we could all probably use a good cry
people
we don’t always value the helpful release
suddenly
the lights burst on
there’s all the water
the orcas are coming back
the bears feel safer
crying never hurts past a certain age
holding someone would also help

About the author

Sarain Frank Soonias is an emerging Cree/Ojibwe writer residing in Vancouver. Soonias is inspired by his evolving relationship with intergenerational experience, (de)colonization, trauma, spirituality and healing. Poems from his initial collection have appeared in multiple publications including Canadian Literaturecarte blancheArc Poetry MagazineThe Temz Review, and more.