there’s bad and good
and a lot’s happened
when I was 16 I ran away
didn’t finish my education
ended up on the streets
doing all kinds of things
I lost my kids
three girls and a boy
that saddens me – my son’s now 17
and he doesn’t even know how to skip a rock
got my first fishing rod and reel at 33
been hooked ever since
I love fishing
it takes the worries
we’re Cree
they call us “the people who crossed the mountains”
I’m Aboriginal, I’m a woman
and I live with this HIV
got a long-term support group
bills are paid, home and stable partner
if I wake up in the morning and I’m still breathing
then all is good