Gabriel

plays his oboe
dances in stars
his wings cry upon clouds

feathers and petal lips
kiss the earth
bring this broken greeting
of the suppositions
hidden in the tapestries
crushed under limestone

the pain of posing
for these statues
has ripped his wings
and defiled his curls
his lace is yellowed now
and need new love

he will kiss
only when his lips are healed
her will be my lover
made of tears

Lia Hiebert
From Fort Sanity ’88

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Fort San writers in front of Great Bear Lodge. c. 1980s. Lia Pas (née Heibert), back row 4th from left. Courtesy Lia Pas.