Blue Horses Rush in: Poems and Stories

Abstract

Blue Horses Rush In takes its title from a poem about the birth of her granddaughter Chamisa, whose heart pounded quickly and we recognized / the sound of horses running: / the thundering of hooves on the desert floor. Through such personal insights, this collection follows the cycle of a woman's life and underlines woman's life and underlines what it means to be Navajo in the late twentieth century. The book marks a major accomplishment in American literature for its successful blending of Navajo cultural values and forms with the English language while at the same time retaining the Navajo character. Here, Luci Tapahonso walks slowly through an ancient Hohokam village, recalling stories passed down from generation to generation. Later in the book, she may be telling a funny story about a friend, then, within a few pages, describing family rituals like roasting green chiles or baking bread in an outside oven. Throughout, Tapahonso shares with readers her belief in the power of pollen and prayer feathers and sacred songs.