"Ñeñe’i Ha-ṣa:gid"

Ha-ka: ‘ac g ñeñei’i mo ’am kaidaghim
’Am kaidaghim taṣ huḍnig wui.
’Am kaidaghim si’alig ta:gio.
’Am kaidaghim ju:pin tagio.
’Am kaidaghim wakolim tagio.
‘Am ’ac ha’icug ’id ṣa:gid.
mo ’am kaidaghim
S-ap ta:hadag ’o g t-i:bdag.
S-ape ’o g t-cegǐtodag.
S-ape ’o g t-jeweḍga.
S-ke:kaj ’o, ñia ’an g ‘i- ñeid.
S-ju:jpig ’o, ñia ’an g ‘i- ñeid.

Ka: ’ac g ka:cim ṣu:dagi t-miabǐ ’at.
Ka: ’ac g ge’e jegos t-miabǐ ’at.
Ka: ’ac g s-ke:g hewel t-miabǐ ’at.
Ka: ‘ac g s-ke:g nene’i t-miabǐ ’at.
Ka: ‘ac g s-ke:g ñeñe’i t-ai ’at.

"In the Midst of Songs"

We hear the songs resounding.
They are resounding toward the sunset.
They are resounding toward the sunrise.
They are resounding toward the north.
They are resounding toward the south.
We are in the midst of songs.
Our heart is full of joy.
Our mind is good.
Our land is good.
The land is all beautiful, take a look.
There is light rain all around, take a look.

We hear the ocean in the distance.
It has come near us.
We hear the beautiful wind in the distance.
It has come near us.
We hear the dust storm in the distance.
It has come near us.
We hear a beautiful song in the distance.
It has come near us.
We hear a beautiful song in the distance.
It has come upon us.


 

"Blessings for Water"

I’ve touched the waters of the White River in Eastern Arizona

And have put my foot in the slow currents of the San Pedro.

I’ve felt the icy flow of the Merced River in Yosemite

I’ve ridden the waves of the Colorado and rested on its flows.

I’ve seen the Rio Grande run rapids in the north and

meander through the flats of southern New Mexico

where whooping cranes rest on their way home.

I’ve l lived in a place called “Red River” where there was no river

but named for a movie.

I’ve lived near the Rillito River, a river named twice

a river that can flow with the best during rainy winters

and rich summer monsoons,

a dry riverbed most of the year harboring the homeless and those alone.

As for larger bodies of water we must pray at their feet

and give gifts.

I have done so and record them here to be witnessed.

I have offered blessings at the Pacific Ocean

In San Diego, Los Angeles, La Jolla, and Ventura beach

surrounded by vacationers and dogs chasing frisbees.

I’ve offered prayer at a dry, hot desert beach at the Gulf of California with only

Mexican fishermen caring for their nets as alibi.

I’ve humbled myself on the black beaches of Hawai’i

twice on the beach at Waikiki oblivious to bronzed bodies and surfers who would testify.

I’ve offered blessings only once at the Atlantic Ocean

at Martha’s Vineyard with the woman who shook a language from sleep as my witness.

"Sublime Landscape"

“Sublime landscapes were those rare places on earth where one had more chance than elsewhere to glimpse the face of God.”

The “sublime landscape” is not a place to catch a glimpse.

These places are where the creators, Gods, deities, and powerful beings live.

At Waw Giwulig I’itoi’s home is found.

O’odham climb the peak to be in the goodness of the Creator.

At Mauna Kea the Goddess Pele resides.

Hawaiians climb a volcano and humble themselves there.

At San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff Kachinas and Ye’ii Bi Cheii spirits live.

They climb down the mountain blessed with songs and prayers 

when Navajo and Hopi call them.

In the Grand Canyon many Gods, deities, and powerful beings

stay in these rock walls and cliffs holding vigil for their people.

In this powerful place are all these sacred beings.

The Hualapai, Havasupai, Zuni, Hopi, Navajo, and others know they are there.

The people simple don’t “catch a glimpse” of holy beings

they sing them; they pray them in these places.