Returning To The Lake

In memory of Alfonso Ortiz
who has returned to the lake
April 30, 1939 - January 27, 1997

Returning to the Lake

               Over in the direction where the sun descends
               Deep, deep within the sacred lake
               From there the joyous singing
               Of holy people comes forth!

               Holy people are now emerging!
               Holy people are now coming!
               Holy people, with their corn- and wheat-
                       raising powers, have arrived here!
               Holy people, with their clouds, rainwater, and
                       fog rainbow cast before them, have 
                       arrived here!..

               Deep, deep, within the sacred lake
               >From there the joyous singing
               Of holy people comes forth!
               >From there the joyous calls
               of holy people come forth!

               Holy people are now emerging!
               Holy people are now coming!
               Holy people, with their singing and calling,
                       have arrived here!

               Away over there holy people emerge!
               Holy people are coming!
               Holy people, with their children-people-
                       raising, with life-creating powers, have 
                       arrived here!

               Hapembe!  Hapembe!  Hapembe!

                               verses from Oku Shareh,
                               Turtle Dance Songs of San Juan Pueblo
                               translation copyright 1979
                               by Alfonso Ortiz
                               New World Records

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Provided by:

Pauline Turner Strong
pstrong@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu

By way of Nativelit-L listserv
nativelit-l@csd.uwm.edu
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