Dera Poetry

About the Book

Dera Poetry is a collection of poems about the time spent at the home of a spiritual teacher in northern India. These poems follow in the footsteps of Mira, a sixteenth century Rajasthan poet, whose poetry is about her own master, Saint Ravidas. The moving devotional poetry in this chapbook is inspired by living saints from northern India.

About the Author

Constance Cappel, Ph.D. is a lifetime advocate and friend of the Odawa people and their culture. While living in Harbor Springs, Michigan, she has developed friendships with many Native Americans, both as a child and more recently as a full time resident of the town. Her book, Sweetgrass and Smoke, included many sections from Andrew J. Blackbird’s book, History of the Odawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan. Hearing Ray Kiogima read from the Native texts and speak Odawa inspired her to bring out this unique book that contains the first Odawa language dictionary and grammar.