My historical book group just discussed Thunder in the Mountain (the English translation of his indigenous name is Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce) but I prefer the translation of his native name. I read a passage from your penultimate blog about the respect for the buffalo who are caged in an area just as the Native Americans ar confined to land no white man wants. I also discussed with then the harm the “founding fathers” especially the ones on the dollar bills caused irreparable harm to both the Indigenous people and the wild life. One question: I am now reading Louise Erdrich’s book The Sentence and she ends it with the same word you end this post: miigwich. What does that word mean?
Since I live in North Carolina If I could time travel I would love to go back to Cherokee land in the 900’s before white people ever came to North
Carolina. Fresh air, unpolluted water and soil and the beautiful blue Ridge Mountains. A culture where women where valued and the animals were brothers and sisters. Warmer weather than you have in Montana, but the comradeship in the lodges would be so supportive emotionally. I do enjoy your poetry as I taught poetry on the college level and identified most with Mary Oliver whose poems about nature always offer me great solace. I look forward to reading your poems. Many of them touch my heart.
Loved this! So beautiful. The photo of Darla really made me smile.
My favorite moments include those when I am sitting on our balcony watching and listening to the wind ruffling through the treetops. Maple, oak, red pine, cherry, crabapple. Sublime. I have never considered this indulgence a waste of time. I think of it more as a gift.
Your students will perpetuate your immortality.
With regard to my earliest remembrances of opening my heart, when I was a child I was once quoted as saying, “If you looked like my Daddy I would love you”.
If I ever fulfill my dream of visiting Montana I sure do hope that you will be able to take time out to share a cup of coffee with me. My treat.
that beautiful snapshot of a poem, crying at a party. oof so good. And I love the picture of Darla with you, dogs are everything. So grateful for the moment in the week when we get to read your writing.
Oops! I wanted to say I love those moments of synchronicity when the Universe makes itself known. We live near a big park in the middle of a big city and every spring the herons return to nest. They’re amazing birds—loud and dinosaur-like and so graceful.
My historical book group just discussed Thunder in the Mountain (the English translation of his indigenous name is Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce) but I prefer the translation of his native name. I read a passage from your penultimate blog about the respect for the buffalo who are caged in an area just as the Native Americans ar confined to land no white man wants. I also discussed with then the harm the “founding fathers” especially the ones on the dollar bills caused irreparable harm to both the Indigenous people and the wild life. One question: I am now reading Louise Erdrich’s book The Sentence and she ends it with the same word you end this post: miigwich. What does that word mean?
Since I live in North Carolina If I could time travel I would love to go back to Cherokee land in the 900’s before white people ever came to North
Carolina. Fresh air, unpolluted water and soil and the beautiful blue Ridge Mountains. A culture where women where valued and the animals were brothers and sisters. Warmer weather than you have in Montana, but the comradeship in the lodges would be so supportive emotionally. I do enjoy your poetry as I taught poetry on the college level and identified most with Mary Oliver whose poems about nature always offer me great solace. I look forward to reading your poems. Many of them touch my heart.
Hi Chris,
Loved this! So beautiful. The photo of Darla really made me smile.
My favorite moments include those when I am sitting on our balcony watching and listening to the wind ruffling through the treetops. Maple, oak, red pine, cherry, crabapple. Sublime. I have never considered this indulgence a waste of time. I think of it more as a gift.
Your students will perpetuate your immortality.
With regard to my earliest remembrances of opening my heart, when I was a child I was once quoted as saying, “If you looked like my Daddy I would love you”.
If I ever fulfill my dream of visiting Montana I sure do hope that you will be able to take time out to share a cup of coffee with me. My treat.
Sincerely,
Melissa
Chris,
I'll let Basho do the talking for me. He's way better at it.
Beautiful post last night. Thanks.
"Refreshed by talking
about blooming irises
along my journey"
Crying
At the party.
Wow.
I love this, Chris. The title alone made my day. The rest was a beautiful bonus. Especially Darla's eyes looking up at you.
Beautiful, as always. Wagamese and his wisdom. <3
Thank you for doing all you do, and for the inspiration.
Here I was thinking the whole time I was the only one who said “cheeeeseburger” when they sang 😊
Thank you for these good thoughts, Chris. I really enjoyed, especially listening to your Cold Weather Craft Series.
I love Darla!!!
Beautiful, poetic post. And I loved her “Cat” acrostic!
that beautiful snapshot of a poem, crying at a party. oof so good. And I love the picture of Darla with you, dogs are everything. So grateful for the moment in the week when we get to read your writing.
Oops! I wanted to say I love those moments of synchronicity when the Universe makes itself known. We live near a big park in the middle of a big city and every spring the herons return to nest. They’re amazing birds—loud and dinosaur-like and so graceful.
No time spent watching the light is ever too much.
I hope that kid keeps writing! What a punch of a story.
And Chris, I was just reminded of a quote by Shakespeare: “ The earth has music for those who listen.”
💕💕💕💕💕