3 Must-Read Louise Erdrich Poems

Louise Erdrich is an American novelist and poet. She has also authored children’s books that feature Native American characters and related themes. She’s an incredibly important writer and part of the second wave of the Native American Renaissance. Some of her best-known works are Plague of Doves, The Round House, and The Night Watchman.

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Dear John Wayne

‘Dear John Wayne’ by Louise Erdrich is a poem that engages with themes of history, cultural conflict, and identity. It’s also known for its portrayal of Native Americans in popular media.

Louise Erdrich's poetry often delves into themes of identity, history, and the Native American experience. In 'Dear John Wayne,' she critically examines American cultural myths, portraying them with skepticism and challenging the reader to engage with the underlying realities. Her distinct voice contributes to the broader conversation about cultural narratives and their impact.

August and the drive-in picture is packed.

We lounge on the hood of the Pontiac

surrounded by the slow-burning spirals they sell

at the window, to vanquish the hordes of mosquitoes

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Indian Boarding School: The Runaways

‘Indian Boarding School: The Runaways’ by Louise Erdrich is an incredibly moving poem. In it, the poet details the lives of children forced to live at a Native American boarding school.

Louise Erdrich’s poetry, including ‘Indian Boarding School: The Runaways,’ often draws on her Native American heritage and the experiences of Indigenous people in the U.S. This poem portrays the emotional and physical challenges faced by Native American children at boarding schools. Erdrich uses simple but powerful language to depict the children’s longing for home and their struggle against forced assimilation, blending the reality of their situation with dreamlike imagery.

Home’s the place we head for in our sleep.
Boxcars stumbling north in dreams
don’t wait for us. We catch them on the run.
The rails, old lacerations that we love,

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Windigo

‘Windigo’ by Louise Erdrich depicts an eerie encounter between the mythical malevolent Windigo and a child.

You knew I was coming for you, little one, when the kettle jumped into the fire. Towels flapped on the hooks, and the dog crept off, groaning,

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3 Must-Read Louise Erdrich Poems

Dear John Wayne

Indian Boarding School: The Runaways

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