Lines from a Mined Mind: The Words of John Trudell

Those who know something about John Trudell the Santee Sioux activist who was a leader for the the All Indian takeover of Alcatraz and chairman of the American Indian Movement (AIM), probably also know something of Trudell's poetry. This collection has poetry collected over the decades--some of it protesting the rapacious materialism, for example, of the Reagan years, some of it talking about Bush and the wars "against terror" in Iraq and Afghanistan. He offers the deeply rooted perspective of an authentic "human being", and a man who has seen true hardship, struggle, and loss in his life. But his political poetry is not, actually, what drew me to this collection. It was his love poetry and his poetry that spoke of life in a way I think all of us can understand. There is much in this collection for everyone who would listen to the songs of our humanity.See the WomanShe has a young faceAn old faceShe carries herself wellIn all agesShe survives all man has doneIn some tribes she is freeIn some religionsShe is under manIn some societiesShe’s worth what she consumesIn some nationsShe is delicate strengthIn some statesShe is told she is weakIn some classesShe is property ownedIn all instancesShe is sister to earthIn all conditionsShe is life bringerIn all life she is our necessitySee the woman eyesFlowers swayingOn scattered hillsSundancing calling in the beesSee the woman heartLavender butterfliesFronting blue skyMisty rain fallingOn soft wild rosesSee the woman beautyLightning streakingDark summer nightsForests of pines matingWith new winter snowSee the woman spiritDaily serving courageWith laughterHer breath a dreamAnd a prayerJohn Trudell “See the Woman”I read an article about a womanA woman living in the warIn Central AmericaA woman lost her familyA woman the only survivorA woman goes to sleep one nightA woman waking upA woman not a mother anymore anymoreA woman held on she could not screamA woman not submitting to the enemyA woman praying for womenOn the other sideA woman rebuilding her lifeA woman in the Middle EastA woman in EuropeA woman in AfricaA woman in AsiaA woman in North AmericaA woman in different situationsA woman all the sameA woman pays for man’s warJohn Trudell “About a Woman”She’s not guilty not guilty not guiltyShe’s a rosebushTreat her beauty gentlySweet love her fragrance without thornsDon’t hurt her don’t chop her downShe can’t live as decoration in a vaseShe needs to continueContinue to bloom continue to bloomJohn Trudell “Restless Situations”

On the one hand this book can be viewed as a collection of John Trudell's lyrics from the songs contained on the albums he released. What is really is, on the other hand, is an anthology of his poetry that happened to be put to music. John Trudell's music is poignant and important commentary on the world we live in. John was not only an important indigenous poet and thinker he was an important American poet whose seminal poetry defines the nature of our society. John Trudell's work rivals Leonard Cohen's body of poetry. They shared a genre and described the experience of life in the context their (and all of ours) world. John Trudell will join the ranks of major American poets.This book should be read as and for the poetry it is and is meant to be...it is so much more than a collection of song lyrics. Some of it is pretty and nice and some of it grabs you by the throat and demands the reader to take note. It's life on the Rez, it's life off the Rez in the city but, most of it's life period. If the time is taken to see it, John reveals that we are all connected and that we cannot remain separate...to do so means we all continue to suffer needlessly. Coming together means synthesis NOT assimilation.

Truth! I love this man and miss him dearly. He died on Dec 8, 2015 after a long bout with cancer. I first read about John Trudell in a SF newspaper in 1992. I got to see him live at a music venue in SF that same year. I was blown away by his "lines" as he called them. Poetry with a live band and a Native American traditional singer backing him made his "lines" all the more poignant. I will treasure each and every poem and remember how lucky I am that his "lines" found me and kept me coherent. I think everyone should seek out John Trudell, read his work, listen to his music and check out Thunderheart. He was one of a kind and a survivor, of all the worst thing that can happen to a man. Still he reached inside and gave of himself, offering his "lines" to help us see. I was lucky enough to meet him and see him perform many times.

Words to break the spell and which can plant a light and nurse a fire. Words that run like water and fall like snow. To step into, and to catch on your tongue and carry in your Heart of hearts, in this worlds darkening age.

Is definitely a good collection of his work love john trudell definitely a great buy

John Trudell does not attain the wide readership or literary praise he deserves. A major American voice in poetry, not just Native American poetry, Trudell has the soul, spirit and understanding of the hardships and the joys of modern indigenous peopleA former leader of the American Indian Movement, he has not lost his intensity but tempered it with brilliant insights that are universal.The power of the language and imagery in Crazy Horse and Look At Us will leave you breathless. Find the CD or DVD with these two masterpieces read my a master of live poetry and you might hear the ultimate beauty of a master of his craft .John Trudell lives the Sprit of Crazy Horse.

Simply revolutionary, a work of heart-breaking poetry and mind-blowing truths strung together with creative insights and critiques of modern industrialized culture.

Perfect condition. Like new.

As with all John Trudell's work, whether it is the word that is written or the lyric that is sung the outcome is a tranquil oasis of sanity in, this, an increasingly insane world.He so succinctly sums up in sentences what others take tomes to express:". . . .As human beings we currently live in an industrialTech no logic programmed perception of reality. . . ."I simply marvel at his perception and understanding of relationships: Between people, between cultures, between human beings and animals, between human beings and nature, between human beings and the universe.At times his words are gentle and strong, touching and moving. On other occasions they convey, pain, pleasure and heartache. Then there are words that are inspiring and motivating, that take you to soaring heights. Whatever the theme or subject, the words all become mesmerizing and captivating; consistently and always hitting the, proverbial, nail squarely on the head.His insights are incisive and astounding. When you read his words and what they convey, it is like a little light coming on inside - Yes that is so true. Yes, he is so right. Each turn of the page is an awakening and a journey, some short, some longer, some verses occasionally twisting and turning but as the reader, found I was always learning and being challenged on what my perceptions are.True, there were times when I just couldn't quite comprehend the message that was being conveyed. Had I misunderstood it? Was I reading more into it than is actually there? Or do I simply not have the intelligence to discover what lay beneath the surface, in this veritable mine of gemstones of the, so eloquently, written word?This is, indeed, a mine, a wonderful mother lode, an enormously rich treasure trove of John's lines from a mined mind. Skilfully and intelligently written, articulately conveyed.Once opened this book is a delight. One that is to be treasured and savoured, that is challenging, while creating an expansion of the mind and providing nourishment for the intelligence. This book is a delight, a wholly absorbing, highly enjoyable and overall, a thoroughly thought-provoking, insightful work. One for which John Trudell has been, rightly, highly commended.This is a book that sits comfortably in the hands, while subtly and ingeniously prising open the mind to allow new insights and perceptions to freely flow in. This is one `open strip mine', for once, that is neither destructive nor detrimental in any aspect. On the contrary, it constructs, nurtures and coaxes new insights from the myriad of, patently, rich seams.Yes, John, as you, indeed, rightly state: ". . . .In the great need, there is no more enough. Everywhere chasing the chase, holding and taking play rough. . . ." Lines from a Mined Mind: The Words of John TrudellLines from a Mined Mind: The Words of John Trudell

only just arrived...thank you....the wonderfull John Trudell who only last month walked on to join the ancestors has left us with so many gifts.. this book being one....brilliant and truthfull and heart deep.. I love all John Trudells work ..a genius who will be very much missed but never forgotten a truly honorable man ..his latest album Wazi's Dream is most excellent

One of my favourite poets or should I say, line writers. John's words resonate with my very soul.

Excellent value!

Love the perspective !