Perfect Not Perfect

Past Perfect

If I had understood

a bit of Cree,

a bit of how Cree

had shaped you, I might not

have misunderstood you.

ahpô êtikwê ka-kî-sôhki-kotêyihtamân ka-nitohtâtân.

Present Perfect

I have tried

to make peace with my tribe

as a wise woman

once advised.

ê-wîtisânîhitoyahk ôma kiyânaw

kiyawâw kâ-wâhkômiyêk.

Future Perfect

When I finish this task I will

have learned not to frown, but to lean

into the perfect pitch of your speech:

your voice, Tamarack tympanum.

nika-kakwê-tapahtêyimison

nika-kakwê-wânaskân.