Out to the Grasses

I must first start out by saying how much I love this style of poetry, and I wish to read more poems this blunt and honest, as opposed to those with floods of metaphors and fancy language. I suppose one could say that in truth, poetry has no ‘style’. But the way in which Layli Long Soldier presents the poem feels as though she is telling a story to relatives. She makes it clear what poetic devices she uses and intends to use, and in this way breaks the “fourth wall”. Her calm nature in which she writes her poem, as well as the way she points out her italics in writing bring more attention to her statements and how they connect to her narration.

Layli has a double meaning behind the quote “Everything is in the language we use.” She is not only referring to the essence of our English language itself, but also referring to the rules she is using in her writing and most importantly, the betrayal of the Dakota Nation as a result of said language in legal contracts. Keeping in mind the quote, Layli tells where the name Minnesota comes from; mni, meaning water and sota, meaning turbid (muddy and confused). The name of the state is ironic and funny in a dark way (considering the way the Dakota were pushed off their land). Layli also keeps this quote in mind when talking about the many broken treaties that ruined the Dakota Nation and forced them off their land.

I normally don’t like poems, but this was easy to read, super informative and creative in a non-creative way. I like the author’s blunt writing, I hope to read more like this!