Sarah Crookall.
Sarah Crookall is a Canadian writer and poet based in Ottawa by way of Toronto. Sarah's work has appeared in various zines and publications including: ByWords, SlowCity Magazine, and Wunderlit Magazine.
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Denis, Raven.
Dennis, Raven takes place in Canada’s capital, city, Ottawa, where an encounter with paramedics and an Indigenous man takes place. Canada is currently experiencing an opioid crisis where 15, 393 deaths have been reported in just three years (2016-2019) (Stats Can). One of the reasons I felt it was important to share this story is because I live downtown Ottawa and see people affected by substance dependence almost every day. I hear politicians here talk about cleaning up its image as though the crisis could be polished and made presentable. But every day 12 Canadians die from opioids, speaking to a wider cultural problem.
Dennis, Raven
His heirloom raven locks sprawl
from the familiar mouth and eyes
of the downtown grocery store
On a corner of capital city
change is an indigenous solicitation
Another man is pendulum,
“I’m an undercover paramedic!”
City dirt freckles his freckled cheeks
and cuticles, checking the pulse
of the 25-year-raven
Beneath a sunset map of Downtown Rideau
his familiar-slow breathing is
distincting overdose
The pendulum sways with an emergency call
“Thank you,” another, “thank you,”
and again, spitting —
to the thumps of a city speaker’s dance music
With boiling eyes, he peels
his jacket, which transforms to a pillow
when he asks the raven whether he remembers —
The raven locks jolt at an officer —
to a familiar greeting
Jolted again — by threat of arrest —
His heart is checked by four uniforms
Who ask among each other, “how are things.”
— Sarah Crookall
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Denis, Raven.
Sarah Crookall - Dennis, Raven (Poetry) - Music.art.ppl