In La’kesh, Ala k’in

Yukatek Maya expression used as a daily call and response greeting:
“Hello, I am you. Hello, You are me.”

Those syllables of sound in morning air,
what is the kiskadee saying to me?
Always I have wanted to understand
the language of the birds.
Always the winged ones have drawn me
toward their family, as if
once I’d been a member of the flock.

Always my eyes lift, my ears open.
Maybe the awareness they bring
is the whole gift, maybe
deciphering is not the point at all.
I am you and you are me, they call:
In Lak’ech, Ala k’in*.
They greet the sunrise, and me.

I say it back to them.
And I say it to the trees, to the stars.
I sing it in my heart
to people on the street,
In Lak’ech, Ala k’in.
I sing it back to the kiskadee,
syllables of sound in morning air.

©Susa Silvermarie 2024