Buffalo Dance: The Journey of York

I finished reading this at the Falls of the Ohio, where a statue of Lewis and Clark overlook the Ohio. Meanwhile across the river in Louisville, there is Ed Hamilton's statue of York, not as prominently displayed but present. Perhaps we'd like to tell ourselves that we have gone a long way, and York too came a long way on the voyageur of discovery. But to go from a voting member of the expedition ("That winter, he give me my own proxy // say my word count too, /// but I knows not to get too full a myself ") to return to "revisionist history" and ill treatment ("I don't know what get in Massa's head // an have him think a generous whip // make me a better slave"). York left no notes, so Walker makes appealing conjectures about York's inner thoughts during the voyage .. "When I be my best self, I be all buffalo", of dreaming of his wife, or of vision quests. Thought provoking poetry!

A fabulous book, given to me as a gift from my parents, who heard him speak. They said he was a fantastic speaker. Well, I can say Mr. Walker is a fantastic writer. In this collection he goes into the soul of York, the guide for Lewis & Clark. He doesn't gloss over anything, carefully critiquing York's observations and feelings, including those of the racism dished his way before, during, and after the journey. Walker's keen eye and lyrical voice give York himself a voice. Whether one likes poetry, history, good writing -- or all three -- this is a must-get. I can only hope Mr. Walker speaks in my town soon.

Walker is the rare poet (like Ron Rash or Mary Oliver) who can be overwhelming without being intimidating. The latest collection is wonderful. Each individual poem is a jewel, but the collection as a whole reads like a wonderful novel, and I stayed awake late into the night, reading and savoring each poem because I could not put in down. In York, Walker creates a vision that is honest about both the world he lived in and the one his readers find ourselves inhabiting, with all theglorious and saddening connections between the two. Thanks, Frank.

I have read many of these poems along with many other of Mr. Walkers and I am amazed with his voice and vision that he puts into words. I was also privileged to be in a creative writing session that he taught. Not only is he a gifted writer, but an excellent teacher as well. Read this book, read Affrilacha, and look for his new collection coming in October 2004.