A Dozen Cold Ones by Two Rivers: Native American Poetry in an Urban Setting

by E. Donald Two-Rivers

Unless you've prepared your moral indifference about Native Americans challenged, you'd better put this dynamic book of poetry down. Ed Two Rivers has poured into the print raw energy of survival his people harnessed to remain a free-spirited community. All right, break a cold stereotype and read this Anishanobae's word, NOW! (Carlos Cumpian, poet and edtor of A Dozen Cold Ones). Eddie's native land is what is now northwest Ontario. He is of the Anishanobae Nation (In "Canada" "Native Americans" are "called" "First Nation."). Through his poetry he wanted to be known as a child of the Anishanobae Nation and one of the Ozhkabewisug (the messengers). Eddie is also known as an Ojibway Indian. Speaking with him, we spoke deeply about deculturation and what it can do to one's psyche and the symptoms of damaged psyche be it the "red-man", "black" or "white." A Dozen Cold Ones is NOT about what the phrase has come to mean. A Dozen Cold Ones is about [broken] promises, poetry, the past, the current and the future. Aye.

Genres: Poetry

38 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1992

Reviews

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of poetry highlighting the urban Indigenous experience. “Red Rebel” and “Stripper” were both standout pieces in the collection. Overall, a decent selection of poems meant to break stereotypes of American Indian peoples.

[Carlos Cumpian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This chapbook is a testement to a self-taught real reservation to urban American/Canadian Indian poet. Two-Rivers, had me help him get his words into print in 1992. One thousand copies sold out in less than a year mostly at poetry readings in Chicago. By 1994, a second 1,000 printing and at year's end most were sold. There never was another printing--but he expanded into playwright territory and short stories with the University of Oklahoma Press. He also did a perfect bound collection of poetry with Mammoth Press in Kansas called Pow wows,Fat Cats,other Indian Tales. Sadly on December 27, 2008, late in the evening, my friend died of the pancreatic cancer.
A memorial is scheduled at the American Indian Center, 1630 W. Wilson Ave. in Chicago on Jan. 10, 2009 from 4:PM to 8:PM
EVERYONE IS WELCOMED TO ATTEND.
The entire Chicago Poetry community will miss him. We at March Abrazo Press know what a kind, caring, talented writer and performer (human being)has moved on to the spirit realm.