Video: Henry Real Bird, 2009 Montana Poet Laureate

The 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 tomorrow

From 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