Post by Okwes on Jul 31, 2006 15:17:35 GMT -5
Navajo poet's work relates art to life at poetry reading
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Posted: July 26, 2006 by: April Hale
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April Hale -- Navajo poet Luci Tapahonso recently returned to her alma
mater, the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, to give a poetry
reading. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Standing at the south end of the west
wing, Navajo poet Luci Tapahonso recently returned to her alma mater for
a poetry reading at the University of New Mexico's Zimmerman Library in
Albuquerque.
Tapahonso earned a bachelor's and master's degree from UNM in 1980 and
1983, respectively. She said it felt good to be back in the Land of
Enchantment.
''I like going back to Albuquerque. It is full of memories,'' Tapahonso
said.
UNM history professor Jennifer Denetdale introduced Tapahonso to the
roughly 80-person audience.
''I often find myself reading her work in English and thinking about it
in Navajo,'' Denetdale said.
An instructor of Navajo history, Denetdale said that Tapahonso's poetry
reaffirms the significance of Navajo women.
''It evokes the memories of Navajo cultural and tradition through
imagery,'' added Denetdale as she welcomed the poet to the unusually
large podium.
Tapahonso began with a poem about the Navajos' belief in the Beauty Way
and its strong conviction in elders and the weak following among the
youth.
Some people closed their eyes as they listened to the rhythms that
echoed through the acoustic ceiling and Pueblo mural. Other audience
members steadily took notes and nodded in agreement.
Three UNM students at the reading had waited several years to hear
Tapahonso read her poems. They were first introduced to the bilingual
poet in an English class.
''The way she talks about family and the importance of tradition is what
has drawn me to her writing,'' said Stephanie Gustafson, who is writing
her dissertation on the many relationships between a mother and a
daughter.
Tapahonso dedicated a poem called ''Long Drive to Shiprock'' to her
family. In a soft voice she mentioned her father's death, her mother's
old age and her sisters' ritual update on family news.
Writing about family is a Navajo approach, Tapahonso said.
''It's a natural thinking process, whether writing, teaching or creating
a [Navajo] rug. It's an approach to life.''
Rebecca Hooker of Albuquerque said she was fascinated by the way
Tapahonso takes form poetry and makes it humorous.
''Not understanding Navajo never gets in the way of enjoying the poem,''
Hooker said.
Tapahonso usually incorporates Navajo humor in her poetry, but she
claims that it is not meant to be humor but everyday jargon.
Another of Tapahonso's most requested poems is ''Raisin Eyes,'' which is
about Navajo cowboys and the women who just can't leave them.
Tapahonso read, ''These Navajo cowboys with raisin eyes and pointed
boots are just bad news, but it's so hard to remember that all the
time.''
''I write about what I remember my relatives saying or doing,'' said
Tapahonso.
Taphahonso said she enjoys writing in a sestina form, which uses six
words that are repeated seven times in a fixed combination.
''I love the way she challenges herself by using Western forms of poetry
to make it a Navajo poem,'' Hooker said.
Navajo literacy forms are much more complex than Western forms because
it is not written, but rather understood and memorized, Tapahonso said.
Donna Epler from Albu-querque said the sestinas for which Tapahonso is
known bring out a natural rhythm in the poem.
Some of Tapahonso's favorite non-Native writers are James Wright, James
Hershfield and Flanery O'Conner.
''Their work is not convoluted, but clear and precise,'' Tapahonso said.
''It strikes something familiar and that's what poetry is supposed to
do.''
Laughter and applause revealed the audience's favorite poem. One of
Tapahonso's first published poems, ''Hills Brothers Coffee,'' was
requested. The poem is about Tapahonso's uncle, who really enjoys the
tough caffeine kick.
Tapahonso and her husband, Robert Martin, have five children and seven
grandchildren.
''Being a grandmother is wonderful,'' Tapahonso said.
Martin, Cherokee, is the associate director of American Indian studies
at the University of Arizona. He was also the former president of
Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan.
Tapahonso read a poem about moving from Kansas to the reservation and
having to return the ''K-Tag'' at the last turnpike.
The night of poetry ended with a book signing. Anthony Beauvais
remembered Tapahonso from his junior high school graduation, where she
was a guest speaker. Beauvais, also from Shiprock, was excited to
receive a free book.
Beauvais credited Tapahonso for her life experience and having the
courage to put it on paper for others to read.
''She is a leader for all women, not just Native American women; even
men can learn from her writing,'' he said.
Tapahonso is currently a professor of American Indian studies at the
University of Arizona in Tucson.
''If I could afford to go to U. of A., I would take all her classes,''
Beauvais said.
Her new book is scheduled for release by the end of the year. It's
called ''A Radiant Curve.''
The reading was part of the Summer Sunset Lecture Series, sponsored by
University Libraries and the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic
Affairs.
Recently, a fire in the basement closed the library for a few months.
Assistant Dean of Public and Research Services Johann Van Reenen said,
''We couldn't have had a better speaker to heal this library.''
The Indigenous Nations Library Program's Mary Alice Tsosie organized the
event. Acoma Pueblo poet Simon Ortiz will read his poetry at the next
scheduled lecture.
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Posted: July 26, 2006 by: April Hale
<http://www.indiancountry.com/author.cfm?id=639> / Today correspondent
www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096413347
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Enlarge <http://www.indiancountry.com/pix/1096413347_large.jpg>
<http://www.indiancountry.com/pix/1096413347_large.jpg> Photo By
April Hale -- Navajo poet Luci Tapahonso recently returned to her alma
mater, the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, to give a poetry
reading. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Standing at the south end of the west
wing, Navajo poet Luci Tapahonso recently returned to her alma mater for
a poetry reading at the University of New Mexico's Zimmerman Library in
Albuquerque.
Tapahonso earned a bachelor's and master's degree from UNM in 1980 and
1983, respectively. She said it felt good to be back in the Land of
Enchantment.
''I like going back to Albuquerque. It is full of memories,'' Tapahonso
said.
UNM history professor Jennifer Denetdale introduced Tapahonso to the
roughly 80-person audience.
''I often find myself reading her work in English and thinking about it
in Navajo,'' Denetdale said.
An instructor of Navajo history, Denetdale said that Tapahonso's poetry
reaffirms the significance of Navajo women.
''It evokes the memories of Navajo cultural and tradition through
imagery,'' added Denetdale as she welcomed the poet to the unusually
large podium.
Tapahonso began with a poem about the Navajos' belief in the Beauty Way
and its strong conviction in elders and the weak following among the
youth.
Some people closed their eyes as they listened to the rhythms that
echoed through the acoustic ceiling and Pueblo mural. Other audience
members steadily took notes and nodded in agreement.
Three UNM students at the reading had waited several years to hear
Tapahonso read her poems. They were first introduced to the bilingual
poet in an English class.
''The way she talks about family and the importance of tradition is what
has drawn me to her writing,'' said Stephanie Gustafson, who is writing
her dissertation on the many relationships between a mother and a
daughter.
Tapahonso dedicated a poem called ''Long Drive to Shiprock'' to her
family. In a soft voice she mentioned her father's death, her mother's
old age and her sisters' ritual update on family news.
Writing about family is a Navajo approach, Tapahonso said.
''It's a natural thinking process, whether writing, teaching or creating
a [Navajo] rug. It's an approach to life.''
Rebecca Hooker of Albuquerque said she was fascinated by the way
Tapahonso takes form poetry and makes it humorous.
''Not understanding Navajo never gets in the way of enjoying the poem,''
Hooker said.
Tapahonso usually incorporates Navajo humor in her poetry, but she
claims that it is not meant to be humor but everyday jargon.
Another of Tapahonso's most requested poems is ''Raisin Eyes,'' which is
about Navajo cowboys and the women who just can't leave them.
Tapahonso read, ''These Navajo cowboys with raisin eyes and pointed
boots are just bad news, but it's so hard to remember that all the
time.''
''I write about what I remember my relatives saying or doing,'' said
Tapahonso.
Taphahonso said she enjoys writing in a sestina form, which uses six
words that are repeated seven times in a fixed combination.
''I love the way she challenges herself by using Western forms of poetry
to make it a Navajo poem,'' Hooker said.
Navajo literacy forms are much more complex than Western forms because
it is not written, but rather understood and memorized, Tapahonso said.
Donna Epler from Albu-querque said the sestinas for which Tapahonso is
known bring out a natural rhythm in the poem.
Some of Tapahonso's favorite non-Native writers are James Wright, James
Hershfield and Flanery O'Conner.
''Their work is not convoluted, but clear and precise,'' Tapahonso said.
''It strikes something familiar and that's what poetry is supposed to
do.''
Laughter and applause revealed the audience's favorite poem. One of
Tapahonso's first published poems, ''Hills Brothers Coffee,'' was
requested. The poem is about Tapahonso's uncle, who really enjoys the
tough caffeine kick.
Tapahonso and her husband, Robert Martin, have five children and seven
grandchildren.
''Being a grandmother is wonderful,'' Tapahonso said.
Martin, Cherokee, is the associate director of American Indian studies
at the University of Arizona. He was also the former president of
Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan.
Tapahonso read a poem about moving from Kansas to the reservation and
having to return the ''K-Tag'' at the last turnpike.
The night of poetry ended with a book signing. Anthony Beauvais
remembered Tapahonso from his junior high school graduation, where she
was a guest speaker. Beauvais, also from Shiprock, was excited to
receive a free book.
Beauvais credited Tapahonso for her life experience and having the
courage to put it on paper for others to read.
''She is a leader for all women, not just Native American women; even
men can learn from her writing,'' he said.
Tapahonso is currently a professor of American Indian studies at the
University of Arizona in Tucson.
''If I could afford to go to U. of A., I would take all her classes,''
Beauvais said.
Her new book is scheduled for release by the end of the year. It's
called ''A Radiant Curve.''
The reading was part of the Summer Sunset Lecture Series, sponsored by
University Libraries and the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic
Affairs.
Recently, a fire in the basement closed the library for a few months.
Assistant Dean of Public and Research Services Johann Van Reenen said,
''We couldn't have had a better speaker to heal this library.''
The Indigenous Nations Library Program's Mary Alice Tsosie organized the
event. Acoma Pueblo poet Simon Ortiz will read his poetry at the next
scheduled lecture.