Shinalí Asdzáán Journeys Home

Ałk’iidą shinalí Asdzáán aní
“Dawa idana,
Askwali itam piw talongva”
“Abinigo yisha
Ni taadidiin hidilniil
Biniinaa Diyin dine’é ak’ee nidadiidzid
T’ááshoodí shiyazhí
Ni tsoodiziin doo ní yiin
Nizhonigo yinaaał dooleeł
Shí awee’ Nizaa Haleebéé
Nijeí bah áholyá
Haalá eí biyí dóó
Iiná dah haadit’é”
Before the sun meets the horizon,
When the black and blue sky uprising
She sang a song,
*Old prayer Hopi song*
After this song,
her last two words
“Askwali Daway”
From that day,
She drifted away,
Masauwu called her to the spirit world.
Shinalí Asdzáán Journeys home.

Terance Woody (Diné/Tewa Hopi) is a student at Diné College and the reigning AIHEC slam poet laureate.