As frozen flakes fell in clusters
sun high in the sky, snow deep
outside
he began to bend his thoughts
considering what is true
and what is not
considering Skadi and
Pukwiss
and the way they walked on the snow.
Because it was simplest, he made snowshoes
thanked the white ash
cut the laces and bent the wood,
all the back stories tangling
what we understand happened
all the teaching tales tangling
the way the Creator is revealed.
When his work was done and they
were dry
he took off his moccasins, put on
the snowshoes
going out to leave tracks light
as a bird
writing canoe shapes in the bright snow
as he walked over rivers
writing kiss shapes on the earth
and in the center of the blessed.
by Margaret Noodin
Ojibwe Version
Winiiam Aagimeke
Ge-maajimamaangadepon
giizis ishpaagoozid, ishpaagonagaag
agwajiing
mii dash inaaginang ezhi-inendang
naagadawendang debwemigag
gaye gaawiin debwesiinog
Skadi'an gaye Bakewizian
naagadawenimaad
ezhi-giibabaamaagimenid.
Chiwenipanad onji-gii aagimiked
miigwechwi'aad aagimakoon
waazhaabiid miidash waaginaang,
aazheyaajimowinan gashka'oodeg
gaa nisidotamang inkamigag
gete-aadizookaanag gashka'oozowaad
ezhi-gizhemanidoo naago'idizod.
Apii gii giizhiitaad anokiid gaye
bengoziwaad
giizikaang makazinan mii
biizikawaad agimag
mii bineshiinhgaazod
ji-babaamikawed
jiimaanbii'ang bagakaagonagaa
epiichi baazhida'ang ziibiwan
jiimaanbii'aad maazikaamikwe
gaye ode'eng zhawenimaad.
by Giiwedinoodin