Lance Henson facts for kids
Lance Henson (born September 20, 1944) is a famous Cheyenne poet. He grew up in Oklahoma, learning the ways of the Cheyenne tribe from his grandparents. Lance Henson has written many books of poems. His work has been translated into 25 different languages. Many people call him the most important Cheyenne poet writing today.
His Early Life
Lance Henson was born in Washington, D.C., in 1944. He has Cheyenne, Oglala, and Cajun family roots. He grew up near Calumet, Oklahoma. His grandparents taught him about the traditions and culture of the Cheyenne tribe.
After high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served during the Vietnam War. Later, he became part of the Cheyenne Dog Soldier Society. This group is for Cheyenne veterans.
Lance Henson went to college at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. He earned a degree in English. He also studied at the University of Tulsa. There, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Creative Writing.
His Work as a Poet
Lance Henson published his first book of poems in 1971. It was called Keeper of Arrows. For 10 years, he led poetry workshops across Oklahoma. He helped many people learn about poetry.
Since then, he has traveled all over the world. He gives talks and reads his poems. He has been a visiting poet at over 800 schools. These schools are in the United States and Europe.
In 1988, he spoke at the United Nations. This was at a meeting for Indigenous Peoples in Geneva. He represented the Southern Cheyenne. In 1993, he lectured in Singapore, Thailand, New Guinea, and New Zealand. He also was a poet-in-residence at the University of New Mexico.
Lance Henson has published 50 books of poetry. These books have been translated into 25 languages. He lives in Italy, where his poems are very popular. Many of his books are printed in both Italian and English. Every June, he returns to Oklahoma. He takes part in the Cheyenne Sun Dance.
In 2013, Lance Henson started his own website. You can find some of his newer poems there.
Plays He Wrote
Lance Henson has also written two plays. One play is called "Winter Man." It was performed in New York City. His other play, "Coyote Road," has been performed in Ohio and France.
His Unique Style
Lance Henson's poems are inspired by his Cheyenne heritage. He uses words from the Cheyenne language. His poems also share Cheyenne ideas and his thoughts on society.
He writes in a simple style. His poems do not use capital letters or punctuation. They also do not rhyme. This style is similar to traditional Cheyenne songs. His poems often talk about nature and the seasons. He also writes about Native American people. He discusses their history and challenges.
His work is influenced by many famous writers. These include Walt Whitman and N. Scott Momaday. He also gets ideas from Carl Jung and Mark Twain.
See also
In Spanish: Lance Henson para niños
