PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

Over the years, I have always argued on behalf of rock and roll poets. I have long held the view that the better rock lyricists rank among the best American poets of the 20th--and now 21st--Century. Some like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen have already received high praises for their written words. Others like Jim Morrison, Robert Hunter and Ani DiFranco have collections of verse in print.

Recently I was surfing Amazon when I stumbled across Lines From a Mined Mind: The Words of John Trudell. Trudell is a poet, musician and activist for Native American Indian causes. I have several of his CDs in my collection. When I listen to his music, I have always marveled at the poetic beauty of his lyrics. In my view, his lyrics deserved to be printed in a book. 

 Now, Trudell always did include lyrics in the liner notes for his CDs but there is something satisfying about having a flat spined book and reading the words solely as poetry. This was an observation I made about Tom Waits when I purchased a copy of his lyrics in book form. It holds true for Trudell as well.

 Trudell is a very interesting figure who has led an intriguing life. It would require several reviews to write about his life and do it justice. He has been involved in many causes for Indians. He also has been in movies and recorded numerous albums. One of the most significant moments in his life was a fire that killed his wife and family. This fire is widely believed to have been arson. It's also believed that they were targeted in an attempt to silence Trudell. There is a documentary film called Trudell which more fully explores the events of his life if anyone wants greater details on that. 

Lines From a Mined Mind  is set up to include his verse and lyrics in chronological order by album release date. This allows the reader to see an evolution. Some of the most poignant lyrics are the ones revolving around his wife Tina. In Tina Smiled, he reflects on her: 

Tina smiled yeah she smiled /Pretty woman indigo red / unraveling ocnfusion's heavy thread /Entering and leaving /Tapestries of changing world.

  He continuously went back to her. In After All These Years, he still misses her more than a decade after her death. He reflects on the heartbreaking loss he experienced. He also holds out hope that they will be together again someday in the afterlife. That helps him make sense of the world. 

Trudell also has some very pronounced views on American society and the industrial world in which we live. I think some of his political views will be unsettling to many readers. He also had strong views on the violence and wars in our world. In Bombs Over Baghdad, he writes of Vampires drinking blood and oil cocktails/Their violence works it hardly ever fails/When blindman can't see he believes blind/Blind obedience is child of mindless mind.

 There are lyrics in which he decries the desecration of nature and the land. In songs like Crazy Horse, he writes How do we sell our Mother/How do we sell the stars/How do we sell the air.

 Trudell is an intensely passionate poet and songwriter. That fire burns through most of his lyrics. I don't always agree with what he says but I do respect the passion and honesty of his work. I admire that he is willing to be so blunt at times. I agree with a lot of what he says. I also admire his command of language. Some of his songs for Tina are stunningly beautiful. 

 He also writes in a very direct and straightforward manner. One needn't be a Rhodes Scholar to understand his verse. He does come right to the point with most of his lyrics. He may very well offend some readers but that is something that comes with the territory. Poetry and great art in general should stir some emotion in the patron. I think this will be a great book for fans of poetry and for those interested in American Indian causes. Trudell is a poet and rock musician whose work deserves a far wider audience.