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Voice Perspective
Uncle Louie’s Alarm Clock
Uncle Louie was well-known as a muskrat hunter. His mother would arise at around 4:30 am to start preparing white corn that would be used for the day’s cornbread. The pounder would echo through the neighbourhood.
In those days there was no electricity buzzing white noise through the house. There was no radio or television playing
in the background to break the natural silence. The faint smell of coal-oil lamps and woodsmoke from the stove lingered in the air, but at this house there was always the strong smell of muskrat pelts that hung drying in the back porch. It was a humble home, before the time of artificial light from anyone‘s cellphone or laptop. There
Elizabeth Doxtater
was just the sunlight. It crept in gradually like it was repainting the life of this house every morning of every day. The sunlight accompanied the monotone solo created by the corn pounder, which doubled as Uncle Louie’s alarm clock.
We can celebrate the memory of Uncle Louie’s Alarm Clock as our own wake-up to our calls to action.
Commemoration • Education • Healing/Wellness 57
