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My good friend nila tipped me about this video of Joy Harjo reading nila’s work:
Watch for a visit by nila to Ventura College this spring to read from her new book, Love at Gunpoint(RL Crow 2007).
Hmmn looks like I better figure out what’s wrong with the video or how I posted it!
In the meantime, here’s a classic poem of hers and an analysis of it:
the way & the way things are 1 gramma thinks about her grandchildren they're losing the ways don't know how to talk indian 4 don't understand me when i ask for tobacco don't know how to skin a rabbit sad sad 8 they're losing the ways but gramma you told your daughters marry white men 12 told them they would have nicer houses fancy cars pretty clothes 16 could live in the city gramma your daughters did they couldn't speak indian anymore how could we grandchildren learn 20 there are no rabbits to skin in the city we have no gramma there to teach us the ways 24 you were still on the reservation asking somebody anybody please get me tobacco Nila NorthSun (1979)
This blog is a place for students of writing to share whispered words of wisdom–not know it all shouts, or slashes of red pen.
This blog is a place to be thoughtful, caring, and considerate, a place to share what works for each of us as writers trying to change the world word by word.
Soon this place will be bubbling with activity and ideas so check back often–and bring words to share!
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