Torlino: Therefore I must tell the truth
29. June 2011 08:23
You never know who walks into Café Central—to share your thoughts.
I am ashamed before the earth:
I am ashamed before the heavens:
I am ashamed before the dawn:
I am ashamed before the evening twilight:
I am ashamed before the blue sky:
I am ashamed before the darkness:
I am ashamed before the sun.
I am ashamed before that standing within me which speaks with me.
Some of these things are always looking at me.
I am never out of sight.
Therefore I must tell the truth.
That is why I always tell the truth.
I hold my word tight to my breast.
from Shaking the Pumpkin | edited by Jerome Rothenberg
Translated from the Navajo by Washington Matthews | 1897