Dancing Moons

by Nancy Wood

The world is hard up for the simple things that abound in nature. We long for what nature can reveal, the essential truths that connect us to the core of life itself. Following the spiritual philosophy of the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico, who have been her teachers for over thirty years, Nancy Wood shares her awareness and appreciation of the complex, magical world around us. These poems and meditations, following the Twelve Great Paths of the Moon, reveal old, enduring truths that may help each of us on our journey.

Genres: Poetry

80 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1995

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

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The preface is quite wonderful. The poems are so earthy and beautiful. They often speak of simple things, of nature and animals, but they are powerful, wonderful and amazing poems.

These poems actually remind me of the type of poetry I write. I love this poetry book. The words are beautiful, lyrical and peaceful. I recommend this to everyone who loves poetry.

[Maryellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"each thing in nature is gloriously alive, giving us a clear reason why the creator put it there"

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't love the poems in this collection, but I do see how they could be useful in a unit about Native Americans. The illustrations are great. (Poetry)

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dancing Moons (Hardcover)
by Nancy Wood
This is a book of beautiful inspirational paintings and poetry. Showing a remarkable understanding of Native American tradition and cultures.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe I have gone all the way through this one. There's one poem for each full moon/month.