John Smelcer
written in English and Ahtna

 

Heart

Heart is like a mirror—

bury it in mud
let it rust and grow with moss

and no more will it reflect the world's beauty.

 

Ciz’aani

Ciz’aani ke’ uyii na’stnal’aeni—

kiighiłtaen tah bestl’es
k’ena na’stnal’aeni tsaan’ ‘eł kołii kae dlaadon’

‘eł na’stnal’aeni galdiine’ niic nen’ kasuundze’.