Classic and Contemporary Poets

John Gneisenau Neihardt (1881–1973) was an American poet, writer, and philosopher, primarily remembered for his work on the American frontier and Native American culture. Born in Sharpsburg, Illinois, Neihardt moved to Nebraska in his youth, a landscape and culture that deeply influenced his writing and thinking.

Neihardt's literary career began early; he published his first collection of poems, "A Bundle of Myrrh," in 1907, which already showed his interest in exploring themes of spirituality and the human condition. Over the years, Neihardt's works were increasingly colored by his experiences and interactions on the American frontier, and particularly by his profound engagement with Native American culture.

Perhaps Neihardt's most influential work is "Black Elk Speaks" (1932), a book which he described as a "spiritual autobiography" of the Lakota healer and visionary, Black Elk. Although not strictly poetry, it reflects Neihardt's poetic sensitivity and ability to capture profound spiritual experiences in prose. The book is based on his conversations with Black Elk and offers an insight into the Oglala Lakota's way of life, their rituals, visions, and the tragic history of their people during the European-American settlement of the Great Plains.

Neihardt's own poetic work is most comprehensively expressed in his epic cycle "A Cycle of the West," which recounts the settling of the American West. It consists of five narrative poems, including "The Song of Hugh Glass," "The Song of Three Friends," "The Song of the Indian Wars," "The Song of the Messiah," and "The Song of Jed Smith." This work weaves together historical events, personal interpretation, and myth, blending the factual with the imaginative.

Neihardt's poetry is associated with the early 20th century movements that sought to capture the essence of American identity and the spirit of the frontier. While his poetic style was more traditional, often employing a narrative and balladic form, his themes were innovative in their celebration of the American West and their empathy for the Native American perspective.

The themes that run through Neihardt's poetry are deeply rooted in a sense of place and an appreciation for the natural world. His verse often reflects a Romantic spirit, echoing a pantheistic connection to the land and a fascination with the heroic in human character. His work also carries a sense of loss and elegy for the fading frontier and the suffering of the Native Americans during the westward expansion.

Neihardt's engagement with Native American philosophy and spirituality was profound, and it significantly influenced his work and thought. He sought to convey the wisdom and vision of the Native American experience, not merely as a cultural observer but as a fellow participant in the search for transcendence and understanding.

Recognition for Neihardt's contributions to literature during his lifetime included his appointment as the poet laureate of Nebraska and the naming of a state historic site in his honor. Despite this, his work has often been overlooked in the wider canon of American literature, perhaps due to its regional focus and the declining popularity of narrative and epic poetry.

In conclusion, John G. Neihardt’s legacy lies in his deep engagement with the American West and Native American culture, which he portrayed with a mixture of historical narrative and lyrical sensitivity. His work provides a valuable perspective on the early 20th-century American experience and continues to be a touchstone for those interested in the literary and spiritual dimensions of the frontier and its peoples. His poetry and prose are testaments to his belief in the power of story and myth to reveal universal truths, and they stand as his enduring contribution to American letters.

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