Winter’s Own Infertility

Winter’s Own Infertility

Contributed by Smc Lopez

“I expect a child,”
They never had conversations.
Whenever air stilled between them,
his singular want coldly repeated
this chant, “A son.”

Her hands worked the ulu
cleanly to snake a pattern
against the animal’s skin.
Aumatik – a coat to warm the life
that would ebb inside her

- should her womb ever thaw.