Only a tuft
of black curly hair
is seen
from the other side
of the counter

And a small hand
holding a bag of Nibs
and exactly
one dollar in change
"No tax."

[Insert here
any settler comment
about stealing
from the taxpayer
ducking responsibility
or not playing fair]

I live on this place
named off-reserve
walking on
hollow apologies
empty declarations
and many, many
broken promises

The elders told us,
"We are at home
wherever we are."
And I know this much
is true.