Video: Henry Real Bird, 2009 Montana Poet Laureate
Henry Real Bird, Photo: KUEDThe Montana Festival of the Booka wrapped up on Saturday. Wonderful. I had the chance to see some friends who arrived from New Mexico and Oregon. As usual, a nice mix of panels, presenters, authors and plenty to talk about in the way of writing. One of the last panels of the day was called the Montana Poetry Salon, an event that called Henry Real Bird, 2009 Montana Poet Laureate to the stage. I recorded a short video of Real Bird reciting "Driftwood Feeling." I've been familiar with the poetry of the Crow poet from Garryowen, Mont. for many years. brings great honor to the title, one bestowed upon him by state Gov. Brian Schweitzer in September. The people who have been selected as the poet laureate are noted for their "exceptional talent and accompishment."
Enjoy the video!
Also, here's the text to the poem in the video:
Driftwood Feelin'How much longer
Do you want
To be in the wind
Elk River's edge
There I am standin'
Lookin' for a feelin'
In the roar of the water
Come down river lookin' around
Feelin' gotta roam.
Driftwood feelin'
Floatin' down love river
Hearts way can't do
I'm catchin' a ride
Driftwood feelin'
Floatin’ down love river
Hearts way can't do
I'm catchin' a ride
Floatin' down love river.
Somewhere
Between the reflection and the stars
Is the feelin' of life in love
Where you could hear
The stars in the wind
Feelin', twinklin', and flutterin’
In cottonwood leaves
Just a feelin' in the wind
In yesterday from days gone by
Can I have tomorrowFrom yesterday, that I borrow?
Driftwood feelin'
Floatin' down love river
Hearts way can't do
I'm catchin' a ride
Driftwood feelin'
Floatin' down love river
Hearts way can't do
I'm catchin' a ride
Floatin' down love river.
Henry Real Bird
Jodi Rave
Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
(Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation)Founder & Editor in Chief
Spoken Languages: English
Topic Expertise: Federal trust relationship with American Indians; Indigenous issues ranging from spirituality and environment to education and land rights
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