Giving Honor Eni mucha elpa mishmaxanano, I feel you in my blood, nishiyano, nishiti'anaxno, nishuhurno. in my bones, my gut, my teeth. Name sikosura niche a'kxi, You rise all around, kolopisik xulin opa. return like a lover. Nishkuuh, niche lahake. My basket, carry me. Nishimila, niche lasapke. My ocean, bathe me. Eni namexumunipsha, I am your hummingbird, name hi'iyatan neku masianehk. you are a flower of the heart. Name cha'a nishkxatasaxno, I feel you in my head, nishxushuno, nishkeleno. my hands, my feet. Uxarat kai pire. We dance off the cliff of the world. Name cha'a nishchawisaxno, I feel you in my spine, nishxorksno, nishsixihano. my throat, my womb. Namesanaxkak opa, eni inamkak opa. You are a river, I am the rain. Mantuxite, mantuxite, It is true, it is true, Mantuxite, mantuxite, It is true, it is true, Nishwelel, lexwelel: My language, our language: maksiri maknoco breath of life.
Deborah A. Miranda. Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen, Chumash.
