Umpaowastewin / Daybreak Woman

Ode’iminibaashkiminasiganke
She makes strawberry jam

ginagawinad wiishko’aanimad, waaseyaagami
mixing sweet wind and shining water

miinawaa gipagaa nibwaakaa,
with thick wisdom

bigishkada’ad, dibaabiiginad
pounding, measuring

gakina gaa zhawenimangidwa
everything we’ve cared for

gakina gaa waniangidwa
everything we’ve lost

nagamowinan waa nagamoyaang
the songs we have not yet sung

miigwanag waa wawezhi’angidwa
the feathers yet to decorate

ezhi-zhoomiingweyaangoba
and all the ways we’ve smiled

mooshkine moodayaabikoong
into jars filled to the brim

ji-baakaakonid pii bakadeyaang.
to be opened when we are thin.