Knife-Wielding Eskimo Girl

Who is this knife wielding Eskimo girl
Cutting the frozen chunk of maktak before her?
She sharpens her ulu,

And jokes of cutting her finger.
Her hair is as black and fluid

as the oil that is extracted from the land her ancestors are buried in.

She pops a piece of whale blubber into her mouth,

Like a piece of bubble gum,
And says:
This is lunch
Caught from last spring.

your foggy voice unbass itself of thunder

Lord, let your face be lined.

Lord, let your hair be gray with patience.

Holy Father, let your cheeks be silver with long growth

as you put up with me and put up with me.

Lord, let your face be a blazon of parts

in which I can name you sufficient

to be seen in your unseen presence.

Lord, let your face be lined with the knowledge

of my sins. Let your brow be uncreased in forgiveness.

Lord, let your eyes be clear of lightning

and your foggy voice unbass itself of thunder.

Lord, let your face be lined

and your massive chest be peaceful in breathing,

the falling and rising that is my slow way to you.

- Nick Samaras