Maurice Kenny, Mohawk & Seneca
Maurice Frank Kenny (August 16, 1929 – April 16, 2016) was a Mohawk poet.
Maurice Kenny was born on August 16, 1929 in Watertown, New York. His father was of Mohawk and Irish heritage, from Canada, and his mother, who was born in Upstate New York, was part Seneca. The family spent time living both on and off the nearby reservation.
Kenny's father was a stern man, given to rough treatment of his son, and at 16 Maurice ran away from home, living in New York City for a brief period before returning home.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Kenny lived in the United States Virgin Islands and Mexico before settling in Brooklyn, NY.
After 1984, Kenny divided his time primarily between Saranac Lake, and Potsdam. He taught at North Country Community College, Paul Smith's College, and SUNY Potsdam and retired from his teaching duties at the latter in 2011. He lived the final years of his life in Saranac Lake, where he died on April 16, 2016.
Kenny was educated at Butler University, St. Lawrence University and New York University, where he studied with American poet Louise Bogan.
Kenny was co-editor with Josh Gosciak of ''Contact/II'', a literary magazine and poetry press published between 1981 and 1993. Kenny was also the editor and publisher of Strawberry Press (most active in the 1970s and 1980s) and Many Moons Press (most active in the 2000s and 2010s). Strawberry Press published poems and artwork, often in postcard form, by Native Americans. Many Moons Press published poetry and artwork primarily from writers and artists associated with the North Country of New York State, including photographer Mark Kurtz and poets Dan Bodah and Ethan Shantie.
Kenny read his poetry throughout the United States and Europe. Notable New York City readings included the Poetry Festival at St. Clement's Church, West 46th Street, Manhattan; Waterways: Poetry in the Mainstream readings and book fairs; the American Indian Community House; Poets House; and many other venues.
Kenny held residencies at a number of colleges and universities, including St. Lawrence University (which granted him an honorary doctorate in 1995), the American Indian Community House in New York City, the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, the University of California, Berkeley, the En'owkin Center, the University of Oklahoma, and Syracuse Community Writers (funded by the New York State Council on the Arts).*
*www.wikipedia.com
you keep the children warm
claws
sharp they keep the woods clean
hang from my wife’s throat
eyes
spotted elderberries and bees’ wings
kept enemies from the dark
kept anemone in forest shade
rats from the house
muscle/meat
i’m sorry
it’s kept my belly
from getting too mad at me
you’ve been a good friend
i’ll burn these words
maybe
they’ll settle over berry brambles
smoke honey for the taste
flavor maple sugar
you’ll hear them
these words
i’ll leave suet by the big stone
by Maurice Kenny*
*https/bombmagazine.org/article/770/three-poems
OC
Kin 230: White Solar Dog
I pulse in order to love
Realizing loyalty
I seal the process of heart
With the solar tone of intention
I am guided by the power of death.
The telepathic universe is far more ancient than the mind can conceive.*
*Star Traveler's 13 Moon Almanac of Synchronicity, Galactic Research Institute, Law of Time Press, Ashland, Oregon, 2016-2017.
The Sacred Tzolk'in
Visshudha Chakra (Alpha Plasma)
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