The following have been selected as finalists for the 22nd annual (2011) Oklahoma Book Awards competition. Winners will be announced April 9 at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame/Jim Thorpe Museum in Oklahoma City. Book must have an Oklahoma-based theme or authors must have lived or live in Oklahoma:
FICTION
Cheyenne Madonna by Eddie Chuculate (David R. Godine, Publisher/Black Sparrow Books)
Stations West by Allison Amend (Louisiana State University Press)
With No Steps to Follow by David Allen Barton (Tate Publishing and Enterprises)
God’s Acres by David Gerard (PenUltimate Press)
The Insane Train by Sheldon Russell (Minotaur Books)
Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart (Faith Words)
POETRY
Umberto Eco Lost His Gun by Carol Hamilton (Pudding House Publications)
Spare Parts by Ken Hada (Mongrel Empire Press)
Elegy for Trains by Benjamin Myers (Village Books Press)
Seeing Rightly with the Heart by Howard Stein (Finishing Line Press)
Bird Days by Sheila Tiarks (Village Books Press)
Oklahoma Baroque by Renata Treitel (Out On A Limb Publishing)
Oklahoma Cantos by Ron Wallace (TJMF Publishing)
CHILDREN/YOUNG ADULT
Portrait of a Generation: The Children of Oklahoma, Sons and Daughters of the Red Earth by M.J. Alexander (Southwestern Publishing)
“Cholhkanat Lowak Ishminti” Spider Brings Fire by Linda Hogan (Chickasaw Nation Press)
Salvaged by Stefne Miller (Tate Publishing and Enterprises)
Mostly Monsterly by Tammi Sauer (Simon and Schuster)
Saltypie: A Choctaw Journey from Darkness into Light by Tim Tingle (Cinco Puntos Press)
DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION
Building One Fire, designed by Carol Haralson (Cherokee Nation)
Proud to be Chickasaw, designed by Skip McKinstry; illustrated by Mike Larsen (Chickasaw Nation Press)
Oklahoma National Stockyards, designed by Doug Miller (Mullerhaus Publishing Arts, Inc.)
Portrait of a Generation: The Children of Oklahoma, Sons and Daughters of the Red Earth, designed by Scott O’Daniel (Southwestern Publishing)
Arena Legacy: The Heritage of American Rodeo, designed by Tony Roberts and Julie Rushing; collection photography by Ed Muno (University of Oklahoma Press)
NONFICTION
Native American Son: The Life and Sporting Legend of Jim Thorpe by Kate Buford (Alfred A. Knopf)
Chickasaw Removal by Fuller L. Bumpers, Daniel F. Littlefield Jr., and Amanda L. Paige (Chickasaw Nation Press)
Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, edited by Bob L. Blackburn and Dianne Everett (Oklahoma Historical Society)
Deadly Kingdom: The Book of Dangerous Animals by Gordon Grice (Random House)
Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History by S.C. Gwynne (Scribner)
Race and the University: A Memoir by George Henderson (University of Oklahoma Press)
Arena Legacy: The Heritage of American Rodeo by Richard C. Rattenbury (University of Oklahoma Press)
Luis Ortega’s Rawhide Artistry: Braiding in the California Tradition by Don Reeves and Chuck Stormes (University of Oklahoma Press)
Oilfield Trash: Life and Labor in the Oil Patch by Bobby D. Weaver (Texas A&M University Press)
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Take it to the House--A Sports Poem
Take it to the house
one day at a time
one game at a time
you play like you practice
and it takes practice, practice, practice
(This is practice, man, practice)
after which we'll
get on our horse
get on the stick
get with it
get into it
then take it to the house
We wanna give the fans their money's worth
We keep our heads in the game
not in the stands
it's time to stop talkin and start chalkin
put up or shut up
walk the walk
we carry our heads high
because even if we lose we've got nothing to be ashamed of
winners never quit
and quitters never win
so let's get focused
let's get jacked
cause sometimes you gotta play on emotion
play to win
play like there's no tomorrow - cause there ain't
but if we don't improve the only way we'll make it to the Big Game is if we buy tickets
and I'd rather not be fishing, hunting, or golfing - you've got all winter to do that
Hey, Ace, your mom had a better move with a man on
we're sending you down to the minors to learn a new pitch: it's called a strike
cause we need people who throw strikes
who throw gas
who kick and deal
who throw smoke
who rock and fire
who throw heat
we need someone who can put a little mustard on it
a little juice
someone who can twirl a masterpiece
a gem
give a sterling effort
post gooseggs
sit you down
brush you back
put you in the books
keep you honest
someone who has the backbone to throw chin music
stay ahead
work the count to his favor
win by the hairs on his chinny chin chin
someone who guts it out
plays with pain
and doesn't tell me, 'It's just a game'
The skipper, the captain says he's never been more proud of a bunch of guys
they'll go to war with you
put in a full day's work
they're real pros
they're all professionals
they're all class acts
player's players
coach's players
leaders on and off the field, court, ice
warriors
He is baseball
He is basketball
He is football
He's got great vision
He's a coach on the field
(he's my quarterback, man, my quarterback)
he's got great skills
he's a field general
but not the General
not Bobby Knight
who knows the game inside and out
never lets the game pass him by
who's a player's coach
a coach's coach
Say, 'What's up, Knight?'
And he's ready to fight
Some Indiana college kid
But not the Say Hey Kid
So Say it ain't so,
Shoeless Joe
Win some lose some
is a loser's credo
Winning ain't everything
It's the only thing
Take care of the little things
Ask Bill Russell, he won 11 rings
You have to be prepared when you come to play Bobby's teams
'cause no one outworks him
he will not be outworked
his men run through walls for him
leave nothing on the court
play til the final buzzer
get in your face
get in your shorts
but we have respect for the enemy
especially when we go to their house
The Big House
The House of Pain
The House That Ruth Built
We'll keep our eyes peeled
our heads on a swivel
cause if you don't you'll get killed
get creamed
get crushed
and
worst of all
get knocked into next week
next month
the middle of next year
Any team can win on any given Sunday
and we think we have a chance any time we step on the field
step across the lines
step into the squared circle
We didn't come here to lose
we're not just showing up
we won't lay an egg
It's time to strap it on
get it on
turn up the heat
pump up the volume
raise the roof
get crazy
get stoked
because this is what it's all about
this is why we play the game
this is for all the marbles
and if you can't get up for this one you don't belong here
you should hang it up
check it in
take it to the house
look for a new line of work
cause this ain't for the weak at heart
you gotta have heart
you gotta believe
you gotta love it
cause it all comes down to this
down to the wire, the last shot, the last second, the last pitch
even though you can turn a game around with one swing
take control
jump on them early
stay ahead
never look back
take what they give us
take it and run with it
He's our bell cow
our heart and soul
He's gonna put us on his shoulders and take us to the title
the crown
the whole shooting match
all the marbles.
He's a stud
an animal
a workhorse
a stallion
($15 million? I got kids to feed, man)
we snatched victory from the jaws of defeat
we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory
three yards and a cloud of dust
We're gonna turn this thing around
right the ship
go worst to first
cause we're no cellar dwellers
it'll be 3 up 3 down
cause we're in the zone
on fire
we've got pennant fever and it's a long way to October
Wilt the Stilt or the Big Dipper?
Like Rockne said
Win one for the Gipper
It's the Showdown in Motown
the Rumble in the Jungle
the Battle in Seattle
the War on the Shore
We're going to light up the
Homer Dome
Astro Dome
Super Dome
because
There's No Place Like Dome
He's cat quick but tenacious as a bulldog
eyes like a hawk
He floats like a butterfly
and stings like a bee
Sugar Ray Leonard
avenged a big loss
Hands of Stone Duran
said no mas, no mas
Play with fire you get rope burns
the loser never learns
Another Motor City Madman:
Thomas Hitman Hearns
Never say die
never say never
Slapped with a 'T'
slapped silly
slap happy
slapped it into left field
slapped upside your head
said oops upside your head
and down the stretch they come
leading after the first turn
second turn
third turn
let that mother burn
he's a speed demon
a burner
a flyer
Hail Mary
rally caps
avenge the loss
seek revenge
atone for our mistakes
promising young rookie who shows flashes of brilliance
on a tear
road swing
we dug ourselves a hole but we climbed out of it
we shot ourselves in the foot
cause we lined up in the pistol
capitalize on their mistakes
we were giving it away
making them look like World Beaters
until we started making them earn it
dagnabbit! dagburnnit!
drilled in the fundamentals
delivers in the clutch
so Start Me Up
and We Will We Will Rock You
cause We Are The Champions, My Friend
we're gonna take it to another level
he's showtime on fire unconscious
he's got good stuff
we refuse to lose
high five
low five
shuck-and-jive
he's arrived
but it ain't over til it's over
and it's over
so Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye
--Eddie Chuculate
one day at a time
one game at a time
you play like you practice
and it takes practice, practice, practice
(This is practice, man, practice)
after which we'll
get on our horse
get on the stick
get with it
get into it
then take it to the house
We wanna give the fans their money's worth
We keep our heads in the game
not in the stands
it's time to stop talkin and start chalkin
put up or shut up
walk the walk
we carry our heads high
because even if we lose we've got nothing to be ashamed of
winners never quit
and quitters never win
so let's get focused
let's get jacked
cause sometimes you gotta play on emotion
play to win
play like there's no tomorrow - cause there ain't
but if we don't improve the only way we'll make it to the Big Game is if we buy tickets
and I'd rather not be fishing, hunting, or golfing - you've got all winter to do that
Hey, Ace, your mom had a better move with a man on
we're sending you down to the minors to learn a new pitch: it's called a strike
cause we need people who throw strikes
who throw gas
who kick and deal
who throw smoke
who rock and fire
who throw heat
we need someone who can put a little mustard on it
a little juice
someone who can twirl a masterpiece
a gem
give a sterling effort
post gooseggs
sit you down
brush you back
put you in the books
keep you honest
someone who has the backbone to throw chin music
stay ahead
work the count to his favor
win by the hairs on his chinny chin chin
someone who guts it out
plays with pain
and doesn't tell me, 'It's just a game'
The skipper, the captain says he's never been more proud of a bunch of guys
they'll go to war with you
put in a full day's work
they're real pros
they're all professionals
they're all class acts
player's players
coach's players
leaders on and off the field, court, ice
warriors
He is baseball
He is basketball
He is football
He's got great vision
He's a coach on the field
(he's my quarterback, man, my quarterback)
he's got great skills
he's a field general
but not the General
not Bobby Knight
who knows the game inside and out
never lets the game pass him by
who's a player's coach
a coach's coach
Say, 'What's up, Knight?'
And he's ready to fight
Some Indiana college kid
But not the Say Hey Kid
So Say it ain't so,
Shoeless Joe
Win some lose some
is a loser's credo
Winning ain't everything
It's the only thing
Take care of the little things
Ask Bill Russell, he won 11 rings
You have to be prepared when you come to play Bobby's teams
'cause no one outworks him
he will not be outworked
his men run through walls for him
leave nothing on the court
play til the final buzzer
get in your face
get in your shorts
but we have respect for the enemy
especially when we go to their house
The Big House
The House of Pain
The House That Ruth Built
We'll keep our eyes peeled
our heads on a swivel
cause if you don't you'll get killed
get creamed
get crushed
and
worst of all
get knocked into next week
next month
the middle of next year
Any team can win on any given Sunday
and we think we have a chance any time we step on the field
step across the lines
step into the squared circle
We didn't come here to lose
we're not just showing up
we won't lay an egg
It's time to strap it on
get it on
turn up the heat
pump up the volume
raise the roof
get crazy
get stoked
because this is what it's all about
this is why we play the game
this is for all the marbles
and if you can't get up for this one you don't belong here
you should hang it up
check it in
take it to the house
look for a new line of work
cause this ain't for the weak at heart
you gotta have heart
you gotta believe
you gotta love it
cause it all comes down to this
down to the wire, the last shot, the last second, the last pitch
even though you can turn a game around with one swing
take control
jump on them early
stay ahead
never look back
take what they give us
take it and run with it
He's our bell cow
our heart and soul
He's gonna put us on his shoulders and take us to the title
the crown
the whole shooting match
all the marbles.
He's a stud
an animal
a workhorse
a stallion
($15 million? I got kids to feed, man)
we snatched victory from the jaws of defeat
we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory
three yards and a cloud of dust
We're gonna turn this thing around
right the ship
go worst to first
cause we're no cellar dwellers
it'll be 3 up 3 down
cause we're in the zone
on fire
we've got pennant fever and it's a long way to October
Wilt the Stilt or the Big Dipper?
Like Rockne said
Win one for the Gipper
It's the Showdown in Motown
the Rumble in the Jungle
the Battle in Seattle
the War on the Shore
We're going to light up the
Homer Dome
Astro Dome
Super Dome
because
There's No Place Like Dome
He's cat quick but tenacious as a bulldog
eyes like a hawk
He floats like a butterfly
and stings like a bee
Sugar Ray Leonard
avenged a big loss
Hands of Stone Duran
said no mas, no mas
Play with fire you get rope burns
the loser never learns
Another Motor City Madman:
Thomas Hitman Hearns
Never say die
never say never
Slapped with a 'T'
slapped silly
slap happy
slapped it into left field
slapped upside your head
said oops upside your head
and down the stretch they come
leading after the first turn
second turn
third turn
let that mother burn
he's a speed demon
a burner
a flyer
Hail Mary
rally caps
avenge the loss
seek revenge
atone for our mistakes
promising young rookie who shows flashes of brilliance
on a tear
road swing
we dug ourselves a hole but we climbed out of it
we shot ourselves in the foot
cause we lined up in the pistol
capitalize on their mistakes
we were giving it away
making them look like World Beaters
until we started making them earn it
dagnabbit! dagburnnit!
drilled in the fundamentals
delivers in the clutch
so Start Me Up
and We Will We Will Rock You
cause We Are The Champions, My Friend
we're gonna take it to another level
he's showtime on fire unconscious
he's got good stuff
we refuse to lose
high five
low five
shuck-and-jive
he's arrived
but it ain't over til it's over
and it's over
so Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye
--Eddie Chuculate
Thursday, January 6, 2011
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