Chrystos
Author of Not Vanishing
About the Author
Works by Chrystos
Associated Works
This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color (1981) — Contributor — 1,145 copies, 4 reviews
Chloe Plus Olivia: An Anthology of Lesbian Literature from the 17th Century to the Present (1994) — Contributor — 482 copies, 1 review
When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through: A Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry (2020) — Contributor — 376 copies, 4 reviews
A Woman Like That: Lesbian and Bisexual Writers Tell Their Coming Out Stories (1999) — Contributor — 259 copies, 3 reviews
Gay and Lesbian Poetry in Our Time (Stonewall Inn Editions) (1988) — Contributor — 190 copies, 1 review
Reinventing the Enemy's Language: Contemporary Native Women's Writings of North America (1997) — Contributor — 183 copies, 1 review
A Gathering of Spirit: A Collection by North American Indian Women (1984) — Contributor — 165 copies
Nothing But the Truth: An Anthology of Native American Literature (2000) — Contributor — 55 copies, 2 reviews
Dancing on the Rim of the World: An Anthology of Contemporary Northwest Native American Writing (Sun Tracks) (1990) — Contributor — 31 copies
The Colour of Resistance: A Contemporary Collection of Writing by Aboriginal Women (1993) — Contributor — 31 copies
Returning the Gift: Poetry and Prose from the First North American Native Writers' Festival (Sun Tracks) (1994) — Contributor — 25 copies
Sinister Wisdom 22/23: A Gathering of Spirit: North American Indian Women's Issue (1983) — Contributor — 20 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1946
- Gender
- two-spirit
- Awards and honors
- Lannan Literary Award (Poetry, 1991)
- Nationality
- USA
Menominee
Members
Reviews
Sexy, sexy lesbian sex poetry. Butches, femmes, packing, teasing, and red silk dresses lying in tatters on the floor. Mrrow.
I didn't realize until I hit the afterward that Chrystos published this collection as a counterstrike in the lesbian sex wars, that they were intended as an announcement of alliance with the leatherdyke community and against the "Feminism is the theory, Lesbianism is the practice" feminist academics. (Coming late into the scene as I did -- around the time this volume show more was published -- those wars never made sense to me: the leatherscene seemed as sterling an example of the principles of feminism as one might ever want to see. But I digress...) In hindsight, I see how these poems are intended as such: these poems are a passionate account of women who like sex, and who like their sex with other women.
In the forward, Chrystos talks briefly about her dual identities as Native and as a Lesbian:
The intersection is subtle in the poems themselves, but comes to the fore again in her afterward in which she discusses outlaw sexualities, ethics, sadism, de Sade, colonization, and the leather culture. There is some lovely stuff in there, and I shan't try to summarize it.
She concludes with this request:
I didn't realize until I hit the afterward that Chrystos published this collection as a counterstrike in the lesbian sex wars, that they were intended as an announcement of alliance with the leatherdyke community and against the "Feminism is the theory, Lesbianism is the practice" feminist academics. (Coming late into the scene as I did -- around the time this volume show more was published -- those wars never made sense to me: the leatherscene seemed as sterling an example of the principles of feminism as one might ever want to see. But I digress...) In hindsight, I see how these poems are intended as such: these poems are a passionate account of women who like sex, and who like their sex with other women.
In the forward, Chrystos talks briefly about her dual identities as Native and as a Lesbian:
I live on a razor: I am only intermittently cherished by the mainstream Lesbian gang, who are primarily caucasian (& not interested in my burning concern for First Nations' struggles), while in Native communities homophobia is inevitable because of the influence of the christian churches The only time all of my identities come home is during the yearly Gathering we have for Indigenous Lesbians, Gays, and our lovers & friends I live from year to year on those five-day celebrations (I will comment that Indian Country is becoming less homophobic faster than Lesbianism is coming to understand, rather than appropriate, Native spirituality and culture)
The intersection is subtle in the poems themselves, but comes to the fore again in her afterward in which she discusses outlaw sexualities, ethics, sadism, de Sade, colonization, and the leather culture. There is some lovely stuff in there, and I shan't try to summarize it.
She concludes with this request:
Over the years, I've sadly watched women-only spaces decrease until I only know of 2 or 3 worldwide Our freedom to speak to each other has been co-opted We have no control over who reads our work, but I want to be clear that this work is a gift given to other Lesbians I don't want to be used by those who do not share my oppression or who are not working to end itshow less
A set of really evocative poems that dig into your head. Her line breaks are just dazzling, and the material itself is painful, angry, and so tender and soft by turns. I would love to spend more time with it, and want to for sure. Strongly recommend.
I found a copy for a dollar (a dollar!) and realized it was signed. I'm happy to have second-hand blessings, especially from Chrystos. Her anger is profound, and there's a lot of depth in this collection. "White Girl Don't" remains a favorite.
Pages passed from hand to hand and singeing. Polemic as erotic, poetry as rage, activism as song. Smart as a whip and soft as a rose.
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- Works
- 10
- Also by
- 40
- Members
- 494
- Popularity
- #50,037
- Rating
- 4.2
- Reviews
- 5
- ISBNs
- 7
- Languages
- 1
- Favorited
- 3