Mishibijiw

Wondrous, thunderous Agawa Bay,
Sacred for generations on the north of the lake.
"Keep your hands in the boat Noodwin (Little Wind)."
Say I.
"Why Indede (My Father)?" (from Noodwin).
 "Mishibijiw(Underwater Panther) will take you down,
to the caves beneath the waves."
Say I.
"Does Mishibijiw have the body of Cougar,
And the tail of Rattlesnake, 
with spikes up and down his back  Indede?" (from Noodwin).
"Why yes my Noodwin, How do you know this?"
Say I.
"I see Mishibijiw, and he is calling for me from the cold water of Gichigami, 
and I feel I must go Indede" (from Noodwin).
"No! Resist my Noodwin! Mishibijiw called Gimishoomis (Your Grandfather)
so many many years ago. The waves brought him to Mishibijiw,
and we saw him no more".
Say I.
"Mishibijiw wants tribute for allowing you Namekaa (Many Sturgeon).
Once Gimishoomis, and now I, Noodwin, as tribute as you failed to bring 
tribute during the time of Namekaa" (from Noodwin).
"I have and will give tribute! Tobacco and copper and rice!"
Say I.
And Mishibijiw arose from the cold water, angry, demanding tribute.
And Indede looked him in his eyes, black, staring stongly back.
And Mishibijiw broke the gaze first.
"Will you accept my tribute and leave my Noodwin?"
Say I.
"He will accept, as your gaze was stronger than his" (from Noodwin).
And the tribute was scattered between the waves.
"Indede will keep his Noodwin."
Say I
All is said in the red ochre pictographs
On the cliff by the sacred bay.

March 29 2017
For "A Mythical Creature" Contest

mythfree verse

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