Forgotten Ground Regained

Ishkwaa-ishkodeke: The Afterfire

This poem alliterates both in Anishinaabe-mowin (Ojibwe) and English.
  • Ayaapii igo
  • baagijigaadeg gemaa baagijigaazod
  • nawadideg gemaa nawadizod
  • biskaneg, biskaned
  • biskanetoowaad, biskane’dizowaad
  • biinish biskaneyaasing biskamong
  • mii dash miskwakoneg
  • ani mikwamaandeg
  • jaagaakideg aanjichigaadeg
  • ezhi-nisidawendang gaye ezhi-nisidotaadizod
  • waabigoniiwid ishkwaa-ishkodekewaad.


  • Every so often
  • lightning strikes life
  • instant ignition
  • of bits and beings
  • objective, subjective
  • fanning of flames
  • the color of blood
  • turning ice blue
  • consuming, correcting,
  • any sense of self and sensibility
  • a blossom in the afterfire.
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