Western Poetry, West River Waltz
by DW Groethe

West River Country, which, lies West of the Missouri River between Bismarck, North Dakota, and Billings, Montana; from near the Canadian border, south through the Dakotas and Wyoming. For those who live and love it here, West River is also a feeling. It's difficult to pinpoint just what draws folks to this region. DW Groethe suggests souls are born tied to a particular place on this Earth. If that is true, he was born for West River. This collection of poems and lyrics was winnowed from the works of DW Groethe. A contemporary Western poet, Groethe has four recordings to his credit. The lyrics to the songs comprise the latter half of the collection.

DW is often featured at Poetry Gatherings across the nation. His voice and poems are the reflection of a true Westerner. Definitely a book of poetry you will want to add to your collection.

2007

DW Groethe, grandson of Norwegian pioneers and homesteaders, was raised on the Northern Great Plains by parents who instilled in him a deep appreciation for place and heritage. A Uni-versity of North Dakota alumnus, he holds a fine arts degree in theater.

Since 1991, Groethe has called Bainville, Montana (population 139) home. He doesn't own a television, reads with a voracious appetite and happily spends his days associating with cows.

The lanky, blue-eyed Groethe is a day hand. He works for cattle ranchers who need part-time help. It's no nine-to-five job. There's no regular paycheck. The benefits plan relies heavily on the intangible.

He is also a poet and a songwriter – and a rare one. Under his spell, words and phrases aren't so much written as they are crafted. The geography, the seductive solitude, the hardy souls who are his neighbors – and especially – the critters he works with provide inspiration. They kindle in his soul, coming forth in fanciful and substantive verse. He has appeared as an invited guest at Elko, Nevada's National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, the Library of Congress and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and the National Folk Festival.

Hardcover, 6 x 9-inch, 224 pages, Illustrated, ISBN 1-931725-19-5, $20.00