scrow1022's review against another edition
5.0
Marvelous collection, many poets I had not previously encountered (plus some old favorites!), digging deeper into their work. Such a gift.
lifeinpoetry's review against another edition
5.0
I often feel the urge to skip around anthologies during the weaker moments but this collection of Native poets was strong and introduced me to a few poets I'd been unaware of and whose work I want to seek out (Trevino L. Brings Plenty!). Tommy Pico, Layli Long Soldier, and Natalie Diaz were my favorites. Definitely an important anthology.
simlish's review against another edition
4.0
Range of quality and appeal to me, as with any anthology, but overall strong
epicpinkfluffyunicorn's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
2.75
i skipped a lot but there were some promising writets
allieeveryday's review against another edition
4.0
Anthologies are incredibly difficult to rate, but let's start here: of the 21 indigenous and native poets that make up this collection, I had previously heard of exactly four of them, and I had previously only read one of them (Layli Long Soldier's Whereas, which I was pleased to get to revisit in brief).
I love that this book gave me a small taste of the language of each of these poets, and gave a short biography of each with their published collections listed, and then in the authors' notes at the end, each suggested other native poets that more people should read. I've got quite a list going of other poets to check out now.
My favorites seem to be poems that are clear truth, sharp irony, vivid imagery.
-----
From "My Standard Response" by Karenne Wood:
As they ask, they think yes
I can see it in her face. High cheekbones
(whatever those are) and dark hair.
Here's a thought: don't we all have
high cheekbones? If we didn't,
our faces would cave in.
-----
"What Is Left" by Sy Hoahwah:
What is left
of my family's 160 acres:
A lone pecan tree
On the fringe of Cache Creek
A squirrel runs up and down
the trunk
carrying insults
between my dead grandfather
and the birds that live
in the top branches.
I carve my name
on the moon's teeth.
-----
(I read that line about the squirrel's insults out loud to Matt because it was just awesome and hilarious.)
-----
And finally, "Dakota Homecoming" by Gwen Nell Westerman:
We are so honored that
you are here, they said.
We know that this is
your homeland, they said.
The admission price
is five dollars, they said.
Here is your button
for the event, they said.
It means so much to us that
you are here, they said.
We want to write
an apology letter, they said.
Tell us what to say.
-----
DAMN.
I'd say, if you're at all interested in poetry, check this collection out. There will likely be something you will love here among these authors, and it'll give you a glimpse of some of the amazing work that isn't necessarily getting a lot of mainstream attention (but should be!).
I love that this book gave me a small taste of the language of each of these poets, and gave a short biography of each with their published collections listed, and then in the authors' notes at the end, each suggested other native poets that more people should read. I've got quite a list going of other poets to check out now.
My favorites seem to be poems that are clear truth, sharp irony, vivid imagery.
-----
From "My Standard Response" by Karenne Wood:
As they ask, they think yes
I can see it in her face. High cheekbones
(whatever those are) and dark hair.
Here's a thought: don't we all have
high cheekbones? If we didn't,
our faces would cave in.
-----
"What Is Left" by Sy Hoahwah:
What is left
of my family's 160 acres:
A lone pecan tree
On the fringe of Cache Creek
A squirrel runs up and down
the trunk
carrying insults
between my dead grandfather
and the birds that live
in the top branches.
I carve my name
on the moon's teeth.
-----
(I read that line about the squirrel's insults out loud to Matt because it was just awesome and hilarious.)
-----
And finally, "Dakota Homecoming" by Gwen Nell Westerman:
We are so honored that
you are here, they said.
We know that this is
your homeland, they said.
The admission price
is five dollars, they said.
Here is your button
for the event, they said.
It means so much to us that
you are here, they said.
We want to write
an apology letter, they said.
Tell us what to say.
-----
DAMN.
I'd say, if you're at all interested in poetry, check this collection out. There will likely be something you will love here among these authors, and it'll give you a glimpse of some of the amazing work that isn't necessarily getting a lot of mainstream attention (but should be!).
robotswithpersonality's review against another edition
Great showcase of a broad range of talent.
Delves into heavy topics you'd expect, all the ways colonialism has stripped indigenous people of their land and culture, and traumatized them in the process. There is also beauty and strength and moments in individual lives.
Primarily US-based contributors, I would love to find a similar volume containing poetry from First Nations poets located in territory now known as Canada.
I've got to shout out the formatting: instead of cramming a bunch of bios or bibliographies in the back, each poet's section starts with a single paragraph alone on a page, indicating credentials and previous works.
Personal Favourites:
38 - Layli Long Soldier
Excerpt from Nature Poem - Tommy Pico
Passive voice - Laura Da'
Dome Riddle - Natalie Diaz
I Tinituhon - Craig Santos Perez (the pleasure of working for it, sounding it out)
Heart Butte, Montana - M.L. Smoker
Abracadabra, an abcedarian - Karenne Wood
⚠️Self harm
Delves into heavy topics you'd expect, all the ways colonialism has stripped indigenous people of their land and culture, and traumatized them in the process. There is also beauty and strength and moments in individual lives.
Primarily US-based contributors, I would love to find a similar volume containing poetry from First Nations poets located in territory now known as Canada.
I've got to shout out the formatting: instead of cramming a bunch of bios or bibliographies in the back, each poet's section starts with a single paragraph alone on a page, indicating credentials and previous works.
Personal Favourites:
38 - Layli Long Soldier
Excerpt from Nature Poem - Tommy Pico
Passive voice - Laura Da'
Dome Riddle - Natalie Diaz
I Tinituhon - Craig Santos Perez (the pleasure of working for it, sounding it out)
Heart Butte, Montana - M.L. Smoker
Abracadabra, an abcedarian - Karenne Wood
⚠️Self harm
kjboldon's review against another edition
5.0
This book's multiplicity of voices taught me so much. I am thankful for the privilege of reading this book. Savoring it a poem a day was a wonderful experience.
abigailbat's review against another edition
Wow. These poems are powerful and challenging and important. This is a great place to start with modern Native American poets - you'll discover plenty of amazing authors here.