Ofelia Zepeda

Ofelia Zepeda (1952- ) a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation of southwestern Arizona, was born in Arizona. She received a BA, an MA, and a PhD from the University of Arizona. Zepeda is the author of three poetry collections. 

Carrying Our Words

We travel carrying our words.

We arrive at the ocean.

With our words we are able to speak

of the sounds of thunderous waves.

We speak of how majestic it is,

of the ocean power that gifts us songs.

We sing of our respect

and call it our relative.

— Ofelia Zepeda (Translated into English from O’odham by the poet)

’U’a g T-ñi’okı˘

T-ñi’okı˘ ’att ’an o ’u’akc o hihi

Am ka:ck wui dada.

S-ap ‘am o ’a: mo has ma:s g kiod.

mat ’am ’ed.a betank ’i-gei.

’Am o ’a: mo he’es ’i-ge’ej,

mo hascu wud.  i:da gewkdagaj

mac ’ab amjed.  behě g ñe’i.

Hemhoa s-ap ‘am o ’a: mac si has elid, mo d.  ’i:mig.

— Ofelia Zepeda