Alaska.
Living.? Condition of Health.?
There wasn’t an aunt.
There wasn’t an aunt
until five years later. March 16, 1907.
(At which point)
Michael Chabitnoy.
Tribe, Alaskan. Tribe, Aleut. Agency, Baptist Orphanage, Wood Island.
(otherwise listed Michael Shepednoy. Nation, Alent.)
was readmitted.
Michael Chepednoy. Nation, Alent.
returned to school without permission. June 21, 1905.
Conduct. very good.
April 10, 1909.
Student. Michael Chabitnoy. Nation, Aleut.
went on an outing and did not return.
JULY 26, 2015 [written around a grocery list]
[Side 1]
[Side 2]
Cause of Death: traumatized (?)
SHEBUTNOY (trans. Salmon-fisher)
(Michael) Chabitnoy. Aleut.
1886–1920.
Because they were “of the water.”
Because they were given Russian names.
He was born with hushed words.
Because his mother had a bad heart and his father was traumatized.
They took him from the sea.
Because he came to the school charitably, before.
Because there is only one photo, after.
They told the skeptics, yes, it can be done.
Because it could be done.
Because “Indian Marries White Girl.”
Because he died of consumption.
There are words I can’t say.
Because he was survived by two sons.
Because they were called half-breed.
Because that second son took to drink.
I’ve always been afraid of the sea.
Because it doesn’t mean salmon-fisher.
Because I need to know I can say these words.
Because it means “mischievous, energetic.”
Mischievous men (and women) fish for salmon energetically.
Because he was an orphan.
Because in summer, my skin turns redder than my father’s.
Because they asked my mother, Is she adopted?
Because I too am of the water.
Because I hear these words.
I will split my bones and fit my skin to the sea.
I will shape my mouth to angle these words with the wind.
DISTANCE OF ARTICULATION
When letters are lost
I think of you, Michael, alone
on a train and dressed
as an ordinary parcel
an acceptable body 15 years old, crossing the whole of America.
(My father too has always been drawn to trains.)
Did you make it to Carlisle
with all your words?
with your real voice?
with all your teeth?
Four thousand, six hundred
twenty-one miles today
if by land. (not counting each wave between
Woods and the Fox Islands)
Three thousand thirty-four
if a Raven flies.
I’d like to believe you flew—
raptors, too, fish salmon. How do you think they got there? the fox,
I’d like to believe you flew
and when your young boy wings tired over Pennsylvania
and there was no more salmon
they caught you and fed you and asked you
for your name
and brought you home
where there were others
and brought you home
to listen.
In appearance, Chabitnoy’s
