UNIVERSITY of OKLAHOMA GRADUATE COLLEGE ASHES OVER the SOUTHWEST a Dissertation SUBMITTED to the GRADUATE FACULTY in Partial
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CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by SHAREOK repository UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA GRADUATE COLLEGE ASHES OVER THE SOUTHWEST A Dissertation SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By NATHAN LEE BROWN Norman, Oklahoma 2005 UMI Number: 3162831 UMI Microform 3162831 Copyright 2005 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346 ASHES OVER THE SOUTHWEST A Dissertation APPROVED FOR THE GRADUATE COLLEGE By _________________________________ Robert Con Davis-Undiano _________________________________ David Gross _________________________________ Catherine Hobbs _________________________________ J. Madison Davis _________________________________ Deborah Chester © Copyright by NATHAN LEE BROWN 2005 All Rights Reserved. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS To Professor Robert Con Davis-Undiano: It is no stretch to say that you are the only reason I made it this far. Every time I “quit school,” you came up with a good reason I should stay. Every time I ran out of money, you came up with a job or internship. The richness I take away from my education, when it comes to Chicano Studies, is invaluable and has had an incredible impact on my own creative work. The artists I have met while working at World Literature Today have had an effect on me that I can’t even begin to calculate. Thank you so much, RC. To Professors Catherine Hobbs, J. Madison Davis, and Deborah Chester: I deeply appreciate your willingness to “jump in” with me on this somewhat unruly, interdisciplinary project. I know the prospect of reading original poetry concerned you at first. But you stuck with me on it. Thank you so much. I would like to say a special thanks to Professor David Gross for being “that” professor; the one who truly lit the fire under my passion for reading; the one who introduced me to some of the most fabulous minds that have affected—and continue to affect—my teaching and creative work. To Elyon Wall-Ellis and René Jenkins: for all the forms I would have forgotten to fill out, and all the deadlines I would have missed… thank you. _ _ _ Thanks to Billy Crockett for being such a good friend all these years and maintaining such a strong interest in what I was up to with this degree. Your encouragement along the way, especially at the Okie-Tex Star Party, was invaluable. Thanks to Ana for putting up with me during this crazy, time-consuming process. You have been a bright spot in the midst of some dark years, ljubavi… Finally, I would like to thank my parents, Lavonn and Norma Brown. The time, support, love, and concern you have maintained throughout these twenty years of my higher education have been tireless. I’m only now beginning to understand this, because of my daughter. My gratitude is bottomless. And I truly believe you should both receive honorary doctorates in patience. - - - - - - - - Sierra – my daughter: You are the measure of my peace and joy, Punkin. You were the “mission” that gave me purpose and the strength to finish this degree. So, I offer—as I did the last time—the token of dedicating this work to you… I love you, Honey. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction . 1 Among the Okie Detritus . 90 Grandma . 91 Almost . 92 Labor Day . 94 Momentary Lapse . 95 Soul-Savers . 97 Chasing Autumn . 98 A Note of Thanks . 100 The Twig . 101 If I Hadn’t Walked . 102 Donny . 103 Another Case for Walking . 106 A Strangely Beautiful Smell of Death . 108 Peeling Orange . 109 James, Brother of John . 111 Price of Admission . 112 S/U – Athlete Evaluations . 113 Done . 114 Thinking about Death . 115 Visitors Guide . 116 I Was There . 117 Lasting Impressions . 118 One Hour . 119 Rockin’ Au Pair . 120 The Four of July . 121 Burn . 122 Beautiful and Gorgeous . 123 I Just Wanted to Buy a Magazine . 125 A Defining Dilemma . 126 Lowland Heretic . 127 Knowing Better . 128 Found Out . 129 For Some Reason . 130 Good to Go . 131 Serious Business . 132 In the Pause . 133 Critical Care . 134 Inter-dimensional Thrift Shopping . 135 The Work of Heaven . 137 Honestly . 138 The Matter of Main Street . 139 Holy Cola . 141 Since 1955 . 142 Out West . 144 After . 145 v City of Holy Faith . 146 Quiet Reunion . 147 Perkin’ Up . 148 Smacking the Core . ..