what’s left

three pieces — white porcelain doorknob

once hardball in the palm of a hand

turned to enter a silent kitchen

steaming kettle wood cookstove stoked

on the table a drawn hand of poker: deuce of diamonds and jack of clubs, face up

cast iron stove shards

only a memory of la galet akwa la rababoo

a horse’s bit

for Gabe’s prized saddle horse or buffalo runner

shards of a rusted knife

manishamihk (to cut)

a bottle stop

pour la bwaysoon ou li vaen

ga minihkwawn (I’d like a drink)

a brass weight

shiny and mercantile

a hanger

for Madeleine’s capot

shell casings

from Gabe’s Belgian .38 calibre Lefaucheux revolver

plate shards

wetoushpahminan (eat with us)