the witch
ho’ok lived here stitching fire into skin phoenix was a sunlit city, she wanted to spit at it every time the sun kissed her ho’ok worked at social services on the rez drove on clay colored freeways as dawn broke …
Poetry
Student 2021
Writing Contest Honorable Mentions
Saturday Night Mania
It’s Saturday night in the psych ward, half past witching hour, lights switched off to phantom black. The psych ward becomes a cityscape, a night skyline in a sterile hospital. When I turn the power on, the corridors brighten, a …
On the Mysterious Power of Language
“In languages, we encapsulate the individual and communal mental and spiritual contemplative efforts of a people—each unique.”
a field of insect-i-cides
“beneath umbrellas of drooping purple petals, sticks with triangular heads hold curved handles, thin membranes stretch for tiny legs to back—stroke . . .”
Díí ’Óólyé, This Is What It Means
“Shí’ee’ ’éí łeezh bee łíbá sílį́į́’ lá. My clothes became adorned with dust and dirt. ’Áko t’óó nízhónígo shí ’éé’ bík’ídíídláád. The Sun ribbons beautifully adorned my clothes.”
Finite Sunshine for a Forgetful Mind
Untitled by Erik Sanchez of the Institute of American Indian Arts
Every morning started out the same in the Lumbee’s home. The familiar sound of bacon sizzling on the stove as the comforting aroma of freshly brewed hazelnut coffee lingered throughout the house. Mrs. L, always ahead of the early bird, …
Forgotten Gender
Self Reflection by Casandra Artichoker of Sinte Gleska University
Gender comes and goes in different forms. Don’t feel lost or bad because this is what you are. To the ones that tried to force us out or forget us; you thought wrong. We are here to stay, together we …
Not Your TV Indian
Cansasa Wakan, Keep Tobacco Sacred by Marissa Irizarry of the Institute of American Indian Arts
Why are we the only ones who have to prove we exist? So many of us equate our Indianness with our blood quantum Our self-worth hanging on the edge of that number Like show horses or breeding dogs An imaginary …
Computer Struggles
Introduction to Scribblism by Mars Sandoval of Salish Kootenai College
Error 404 Page is not available Checking connection Shut down computer Computer software update Program is working Memory space low Searching for a new hard drive Price is expensive Simple crash ruins Calling tech support for help Looking to upgrade …