by Sage H., 14 (they/them)
I’m lost—
Two-Spirit with no place to call home.
Alone.
Funnel flowers bloom—midnight blue,
Noon in May—yellow soon.
I’m lost—
Two-Spirit, but too far from you.
The ground feels distant.
Concrete air clogs my chest.
And home?
It’s doomed.
Crow-filled air waits like breath held too long.
Soulday doesn’t feel sacred anymore,
But smells like incense and iron—
Both holy and heavy in my lungs.
Why does love thunder and tear like shame?
The soul that once carried me whole,
The cross that was meant to guide me home—
Is now a hole.
I am a death made of breath,
All because I love a man.
How do I reset?
Now I’m left in the in-between
With someone else, the pilot of me
And a breath too quiet
Its silence is there, holding need
And in this life we live—on this land—
What is my purpose,
If not to reach for a hand?
A touch from someone rare, one who cares.
I don’t need perfect lies or gloom lit by moodful eyes,
But heartfelt cries from the one who’ll treat me right
I’m a bi… one?—sure.
But what am I,
If I can’t hold a man, too?
I’m bi.
I’m lost.
Forsaken—
maybe?
And I’m by myself.
Atoning
For all I’ve lost.
Was I put on this earth too soon?
Was I too strange for a place called home?
And when it’s all said and done,
Will I hear, “I’m proud of you, son?”
Sage Hodder (they/them) is a 14-year-old Métis bisexual Two-Spirit artist, poet, and author. They lived their whole life in Toronto. Sage finds comfort in writing poetry and stories, as well as their experiences within the visual and media arts fields—they use these mediums to explore identity, history, and personal reflection. Sage started writing poetry in late 2023 with their poem Puzzle Piece Poem, and now their works include over 80 poems, multiple stories, and several art pieces. Sage wishes to have their words and visuals be published and change people’s understanding and acceptance of discriminated groups and topics that aren’t treated with the understanding they deserve. Their wish to be published came true with their poem “Present Day” under the moniker Darren Hodder, published by TSDB/UIEC’s OK, KO, OK Volume 4, Issue 1 on June 3rd, 2025.
Bridge Ink 