The Loves of Pocahontas

About the Book

This illustrated poetry tracing the loves in Pocahontas's life from infancy till her death (b. 1595 d. 1617) as a young adult is written for all ages. Her loves follow the love pattern of English writer C. S. Lewis: affection, friendship, romance, and charity. Though the poetry will likely appeal mostly to adolescent girls, he book is also reader-friendly for adults and recommended by teachers. This is likely due to its historical accuracy and the use of both (1) a Map of Pocahontas's dwelling places and (2) an Appendix of Algonquian words translated into English. This Algonquian Native American young female is best known for her generosity in feeding the hungry English people who arrived uninvited to her homeland and established James Fort on her father's land. Legend commends Pocahontas for her strong willed spirit in assisting Captain John Smith, while occasionally incurring the intense displeasure of her father Chief of the 15 Powhatan tribes. After a brief marriage to the brave Kocoum, Pocahontas was befriended by kind English womenfolk and met her future husband John Rolfe. She traveled with him and their young son Thomas to England to meet King James and Queen Anne, where she was reunited with Captain John Smith for a short memorable visit. The book emphasizes the loving heart that motivated all of Pocahontas's behavior and is dedicated to the beloved deceased adolescent granddaughter of the author. Clara Elizabeth Forrest was born exactly 400 years after Pocahontas (1594/95 & 1994). Pocahontas and Clara were also born and reared in the same Powhatan tribal land area of what is now called Gloucester County, Virginia. It was Clara's love for Pocahontas and interest in attending the 400th Commemoration of the first English settlement in Jamestowne in 2007 that motivated the production of this fascinating short story poetry book.

About the Author

Merry Lynn Wyatt grew up on an Iowa farm where Native Americans had migrated, leaving many relics. This was the foundation of her appreciation of our country’s history. While raising her children Teri, Jon , and Shari, Merry has lived most of her adult life in the historic triangle of Yorktown/Williamsburg/ Jamestown, Virginia. This has perpetuated her appreciation. Merry obtained formal degrees in psychology and child welfare. She now teaches psychology and sociology courses as adjunct for a private women’s college in Virginia. Merry also traveled through England investigating children’s services and the Wyatt family colonial roots in Malmesbury, Wiltshire England.