Sunday, May 06, 2007
Sokoya, I said, looking throughthe net of wrinkles into
wise black pools
of her eyes.
What do you say in Athabaskanwhen you leave each other ?
What is the word
for goodbye ?
A shade of feeling rippledthe wind-tanned skin.
Ah, nothing, she said,
watching the river flash.
She looked at me close.We just say, Tiaa. That means,
See you.
We never leave each other.
When does your mouth
say goodbye to your heart ?
She touched me lightas a bluebell.
you forget when you leave us
You're so small then.
We don't use that word.
We always think you're coming back,but if you don't,
we'll see you come place else.
You understand.
There is no word for goodbye.
-Mary Tallmountain
4:56 PM
