Poem Quest

By S. Libellule

Having grown up in Massachusetts (which is named after a Native American tribe) I've always been aware of the profound impact these original inhabitants had on our history. Thanksgiving, with its commemoration of the feast shared by Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe, was a yearly tradition in my family. This instilled in me a lifelong curiosity about Native American culture.

As an adult, I grappled with spirituality and faith. Though raised Catholic, I explored other Christian denominations but never felt a true connection to a divine presence. This changed when I visited the Native American side of the Grand Canyon. Alone at the edge of its immense beauty, I first experienced a profound sense of the divine. In the years that followed, I became fascinated with the spirituality of America's indigenous peoples, reading books like 'God is Red' and the writings of Lame Deer. I also pursued online courses about the early peoples of North America to deepen my understanding.

However, it was through the poetry of Joy Harjo that I truly came to appreciate Native American poetics. Her blend of poetry and ritual performance resonated deeply. I acquired all her memoirs and poetry collections, finding her words uniquely transformative. Often, I couldn't finish a poem without being inspired to jot down prompts and lines of my own in the book's margins. Inspired by so many titles, phrases, and entire poems, her work has moved me profoundly.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0D2P2X25V
• ISBN13: 9798323689279
• Release Date: April 2024
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 108 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"