FRISCO NATIVE AMERICAN MUSEUM PUBLISHES NEW BOOK

A new book of poetry, “Journey of a No Tail Bear,” will be available to the public by the end of May 2020.   The Frisco Native American Museum & Natural History Center will publish a small collection of poetry written by Bear Plummer.  The book opens with a  poem  penned in 2020 

 “LETTER TO MY JAILER”

  I stand here in my self-imposed prison.

          Walls not made of brick or mortar,

                  Bars not made of steel.

Instead, walls made from low self-esteem,

          Anger, depression and hate.

                      And bars made of no forgiveness within my heart.

I search for a key to set my spirit free.

           A key not made of gold, silver or brass 

                      But a key made of self-esteem, love,

            happiness  and forgiveness

                I can see the key.

                It is within my grasp.

                     I still have one last thing, one last task,

                              Perhaps the hardest one of all:

                     How do I find forgiveness for the things

                    I’ve done to me?

                Growing up in the early 1950’s, Bear learned almost nothing about his Native heritage from family.   It was a time  when the US census did not even acknowledge Native Americans, and it was not until Bear was an adult that he began to uncover his family’s background.  The volume includes poems spanning more than twenty years and reflects a view of life from a Native American veteran who came to understand and appreciate his family’s roots.  Although a small collection, the poems are both powerful and poignant.

The Frisco Native American Museum & Natural History Center is located on Hatteras Island and is currently closed to the public.   Some workshops and activities are available on line.  For more information, call 252-995-4440 or visit the museum website at www.nativeamericanmusuem.org.

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