Many Winters: Prose and Poetry of the Pueblos

by Nancy Wood, Frank Howell (Illustrator)

For the past 800 years, the Indians of Taos Pueblo have lived under Taos Mountain in the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico. Their unique vision of the world, their deeply rooted attachment to the land and their own way of life, and the quiet wisdom of their elders are eloquently recorded in this classic volume.

Genres: Poetry, Native American

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Nancy Wood / Nancy C. Wood

"It is a tale of the universal spirit of all living things, and their eternal connection to each other," says Nancy Wood of OLD COYOTE, her simple story of a wise creature's final journey, masterfully illustrated by Max Grafe. These words could apply to virtually all of Nancy Wood's books, from inspirational collections of her own poetry and prose to an anthology chronicling the history of the Taos Pueblo Indians, her friends for more than thirty years. The author of more than ten books for children, teens, and adults, Nancy Wood has garnered such honors as a prestigious Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and an International Reading Association Teacher's Choices Award for her stunning SPIRIT WALKER: POEMS, illustrated by Frank Howell. Indeed, many of her poems have had such a powerful impact on readers that they are often read at weddings and funerals.

Nancy Wood says that she wrote the story of OLD COYOTE when her seven-year-old grandson came to her, grief-stricken, after his dog was run over by a car. "He wanted to know if Buddy had gone to heaven," she says. "I explained that Buddy had dreamed himself into another world; that he was, at that very moment, beginning a new life, maybe as a horse this time, or a bear. He had begun a new and natural circle." Certainly the deeply moving OLD COYOTE suggests a universal meaning as well. "OLD COYOTE is a book about beginnings, and endings, and love among all creatures of the earth," Nancy Wood says. "It is a metaphor for the mystery, beauty, and certainty of death. How easy life would be if, like Old Coyote, we accepted death as a natural part of life. Life may be long or short, happy or sad, but whatever we're given, we should make the most of it, the way Old Coyote does as he changes one world for another, unafraid."


Most recently, Nancy Wood penned HOW THE TINY PEOPLE GREW TALL, an original creation tale illustrated by Rebecca Walsh. Of her fanciful tale, Nancy says, "We are all Tiny People at heart. Though the story of these Tiny People is based on an American Indian emergence myth, it could be about people and animals anywhere."


The award-winning poet, novelist, photographer, and children's book author Nancy Wood lives near Santa Fe, New Mexico where she still occasionally glimpses Tiny People dancing in the wilderness.

Reviews

[Alyssa (sis) Couturier]

This was my great grandmas favorite poem, she passed early this month, she always had a book in her hand.“Today is a very good day to die.
Every living thing is in harmony with me.
Every voice sings a chorus within me.
All beauty has come to rest in my eyes.
All bad thoughts have departed from me.
Today is a very good day to die.
My land is peaceful around me.
My fields have been turned for the last time.
My house is filled with laughter.
My children have come home.
Yes, today is a very good day to die.”

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful little book of poetry and art. It is simple in its reading, but has a depth of meaning and feeling. I kept it by my bed and read a little before going to bed. I particularly love the ending: Hold on to life even when/it is easier letting go./Hold on to my hand even when/I have gone away from you.

[Penny]

finished it.

[farah]

3.75 stars

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful drawings and paintings by Frank Howell and prose and poetry of the Pueblos.
A great place to jumpstart found poetry and journaling for those looking for inspiration.

[Kaylin Worthington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful imagery of the spirituality of these people.

[Kareen Lewis]

seems like i read this forever ago. inspired me to write more

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the Indian poetry and drawings.