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Michif in public

By Chase Everett McMurren

Âtamiskâtôwin, you.
[Atom’s gotta win, with emphasis on win.]
It means “greetings,” though
Google can’t confirm that.

I am learning the language as it disappears.
Learning from an app on my phone, that is.
The words make medical jargon seem simple.

Except perhaps those biologics,
Words that end with –mab.

I’m looking for some guidance,
Some kiskinohtahôwêwin.
[Kiss kuh no ta-hoe ee win, working,
again, toward the win.]

Tracking down an Elder is more
difficult than I imagined.
In a way, part of me is afraid that if I track one down,

I will discover
that they have no idea what I’m saying
when I perform my Michif words.

Kinanâskomitin—I thank you—
[kin an ask, oh mi tin]
for experiencing these words.

By you being you, right here and right now,
the language is alive,

in an extra strength dose,
if you say the words aloud.

 

 

Cover photo courtesy of Jaël Vallée.

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  • Chase Everett McMurren
  • Issue 157
  • Poetry

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