

Bridgette Hoshont'omba
Ishki Taloa
Mother Tongue,
The voice of my Mother Earth
But in what ways would She speak to me?
In English, in Spanish,
Anumpa from every corner of the world?
No.
I think she would say:
Halito, ummi ulla.
Hello, my child.
You are made of pula.
Light.
From every inch of the universe.
Hlampko Chahta.
A strong Choctaw woman.
This is how you are known
By the sky above and soil below.
The Mother Tongue of my Mother Earth is many.
But she speaks to me in achuffa.
One.
Choctaw Translations
Achuffa – one
Anumpa – language
Chahta – Choctaw
Halito – hello
Hlampko – strong
Ishki – mother
Pula – light
Taloa – song
Ulla – child
Ummi – mine
And The Waters Of My Dreams
​
i. cool waters flowing
winding rivers caress skin
famed trees surrounding
ii. birds sing their sweet songs
the great spirit watching over
calm silence fills me
iii. sunflowers for days
overwhelming happiness
the land is my home
iv. rocks under soft feet
fast currents, nature's music
blue skies far above
v. pink sunrises greet day
horizon, through and over
the land it so loves
vi. but images fade
to the city, this is dead
true heartache is born
