The Loss of Our Language

Note: There are fewer than 100 fluent Comanche speakers in the world today.


A long time ago
when animals
could talk,
the language
of the people
was spoken,
sweet-like sugar.


Today, few speak
Comanche,
its loss-a bitter lesson.
That is all.
 

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Poetry From the October 2005 issue: Jaguar Tongues

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Translated from ComancheComanche by Juanita PahdoponyJuanita Pahdopony

Juanita Pahdopony is a renowned Comanche educator, poet and artist. She holds an A.A., B.A. and M.Ed. in art education. She has taught at Elgin Public Schools, Oklahoma City University, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Cameron University, and Comanche Nation College. She is a member of the Southern Plains Indian Museum Association, Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers, National Advisory Caucus and the Jacobson Foundation. She has given numerous presentations related to art and has exhibited her own works at galleries throughout Oklahoma.

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