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Smuggling Cherokee by Kim Shuck is a collection of poems covering a variety of topics from her background, life events, and seemingly random thoughts. However, it is not the large, life-changing events that provide the main focus. Instead, almost mundane, everyday occurrences are the center of attention. The details in life are delved into, evoking familiar emotions and memories. While the substance is personal to the poet, the sentiment and underlying humanity is much more universal. The heart of the poetry makes a connection regardless of any shared experiences.

The poetry holds different layers of emotional meaning. It is both strange and comfortable. There is an overall impression created by each piece, but other messages and meanings emerge with deeper contemplation. Some stanzas within a given poem are unrelated and disconnected on an objective level yet still feel cohesive on an emotional level. The fragmented nature of our daily lives and thoughts are mirrored throughout the book. Even the organization of the poems within the book provides a progression from the more abstract to the everyday, almost telling a story from one poem to the next in the progression. A strong humorous streak finds it?s way into many of the items as well. None of the poems could really be called primarily comedic, but the poet?s sense of humor and unique way of looking at life is apparent throughout. The humor finds its way into the poetry much as in life… sometimes unexpected, lightening a serious mood, sometimes an intentional joke, self-deprecating, and other times subtle and easy to miss.

The subject matter is personal in that she touches on her life as a mother, a weaver, a child, a teacher and a poet. Other topics include growing up in a Native American community, nature, gardening, life in a city and shopping. From this simple platform Kim Shuck explores universal emotions in unique ways. These are the kinds of words that if they make no immediate impact, you will find yourself pondering or recalling days later.

Kim Shuck?s background includes a diverse heritage and various experiences. A San Francisco Native, she is of Tsalagi, Sauk, Fox and Polish ancestry, and the mother or three children. In 1998 she achieved her Master of Fine Arts in weaving from San Francisco State. Teaching in some form for many years, she has instructed at the Elementary School level as well as at San Francisco State and lecturing at various venues. She has also contributed her talents in the past to the board of directors for California Poets in the Schools.

Smuggling Cherokee is an award-winning volume. It is the winner of the North American Native Authors First Book Award as well as the Diane Decorah Award for Poetry. While this is her first independent book she has published many poems as part of other anthologies, journals, online, and in the past as Poem of the Week right here in Listen and Be Heard.

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