Autumn Leaves volume 6 number 6

I Offer This (in borrowed words)
an honor song for Susan Beaver
by Tim Martin

may i call you Aktsi:a
Kanien'kéha Aktsi:a

tekeni awe:ri
tekeni spirit
tekeni worlds to step in

you have just left
this cabin in Montana
you and Tannis driving for two days
and i had nothing to send you with

the strength of a thousand
words
you have given
—a silent theology
of actions

i pray with you
skén:nen
(peace)

the enemy is fast
the enemy is silent
the enemy is so damn contagious that
they come all the time even when i forget to look

you were right, i knew
when my first reaction was

prayer i offer this
in borrowed words

i turn
Othore:ke
   you have shown
   to be whole does not mean to be finished
Na:kon Nonkwa:ti
   i wish i could say this in both our languages
   after your visit with your wife
Entie
   éntene
   with more confidence, now
E:neken Nonkwa:ti
   there is family
   there is a circle
   you do not stop
   (tasahkwishron)
   i do not stop
   (tasahkwishron) khiá:tons
   and it does not have to be quietly
niá:wen
to be whole does not mean to be finished
niá:wen
to be open does not mean to be a broken into
niá:wen
to be indian does not mean to be vanished
niá:wen
to be whole; our minds are now as one

niá:wen
thank you

Copyright © 2002, Tim Martin, all rights reserved.

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