brother lake.

the three sisters.

firemother.

each place was visited by kukutux; she stayed among these trees and the frost-rimed water once the many things had been unloaded at her ulaq and handed out among the village in equal shares.

she sought no bosom; she sought no word.

into the frosted highpoint of the spine did she climb, hip hitching once in pain along the way. but her sacred altar remained; she placed down new fat and a gathering of spruce, a round piece of bison antler and a pawful of red tea.

protection for ariadne nuiruk!

blood, dashed from the pad of her hand;

protection for the one who bears the spirit name of tlatehiin!

red droplets upon red tea;

protection for the small ones beneath her heart!

the wind carried her cries to sedna.