Sherman Alexie’s Top 10 Native American Poets

dg nanouk okpik is an emerging poet and member of the Inupiaq-Inuit culture of Alaska’s Arctic Slope. Her first book of poetry, Corpse Whale, was published by the University of Arizona Press in 2012.

Ukiuk: Winter Siqinrilaq Tatqiq: December
Moon with no sun Ukpeagvik: Barrow
Tuluqraq: Raven
A high place for viewing; a root of a point
2 feet from the left, 71 degrees north,
Gateway to the Arctic
in the center of the earth a gingko tree
is planted. A hole drilled in the rocks
penetrates where the flesh is easily
separated where her/my roots grow.
Her/my cadaver sings an old honor slow low.
For she/I want/s confession with a full
wafer and a drop of wine.

From corpse whale by dg nanouk okpik. © 2012 dg nanouk okpik. Reprinted by permission of the University of Arizona Press.

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