Joy Harjo is a poet, musician, and author. She is also the first Native American United States Poet Laureate. She is an important figure in the second wave of the literary Native American Renaissance of the late twentieth century.
Famous Joy Harjo Poems
Deer Dancer
Nearly everyone had left that bar in the middle of winter except the
hardcore.It was the coldest night of the year, every place shut down, but
not us.Of course we noticed when she came in.We were Indian ruins.She
was the end of beauty.No one knew her, the stranger whose tribe we
recognized, her family related to deer, if that’s who she was, a people
accustomed to hearing songs in pine trees, and making them hearts.
The woman inside the woman who was to dance naked in the bar of misfits
blew deer magic.Henry jack, who could not survive a sober day, thought she
was Buffalo Calf Woman come back, passed out, his head by the toilet.All
night he dreamed a dream he could not say.The next day he borrowed
money, went home, and sent back the money I lent.Now that’s a miracle.
Some people see vision in a burned tortilla, some in the face of a woman.
This is the bar of broken survivors, the club of the shotgun, knife wound, of
poison by culture.We who were taught not to stare drank our beer.The
players gossiped down their cues.Someone put a quarter in the jukebox to
relive despair.Richard’s wife dove to kill her.We had to keep her
still, while Richard secretly bought the beauty a drink.
How do I say it?In this language there are no words for how the real world
collapses.I could say it in my own and the sacred mounds would come into
focus, but I couldn’t take it in this dingy envelope.So I look at the stars in
this strange city, frozen to the back of the sky, the only promises that ever
make sense.
My brother-in-law hung out with white people, went to law school with a
perfect record, quit.Says you can keep your laws, your words.And
practiced law on the street with his hands.He jimmied to the proverbial
dream girl, the face of the moon, while the players racked a new game.
He bragged to us, he told her magic words and that when she broke,
became human.
But we all heard his voice crack:
What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?
That’s what I’d like to know, what are we all doing in a place like this?
You would know she could hear only what she wanted to; don’t we all?Left
the drink of betrayal Richard bought her, at the bar.What was she on?We all
wanted some.Put a quarter in the juke.We all take risks stepping into thin
air.Our ceremonies didn’t predict this.or we expected more.
I had to tell you this, for the baby inside the girl sealed up with a lick of
hope and swimming into the praise of nations.This is not a rooming house, but
a dream of winter falls and the deer who portrayed the relatives of
strangers.The way back is deer breath on icy windows.
The next dance none of us predicted.She borrowed a chair for the stairway
to heaven and stood on a table of names.And danced in the room of children
without shoes.
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille With four hungry children and a
crop in the field.
And then she took off her clothes.She shook loose memory, waltzed with the
empty lover we’d all become.
She was the myth slipped down through dreamtime.The promise of feast we
all knew was coming.The deer who crossed through knots of a curse to find
us.She was no slouch, and neither were we, watching.
The music ended.And so does the story.I wasn’t there.But I imagined her
like this, not a stained red dress with tape on her heels but the deer who
entered our dream in white dawn, breathed mist into pine trees, her fawn a
blessing of meat, the ancestors who never left.
Equinox
I must keep from breaking into the story by force
for if I do I will find myself with a war club in my hand
and the smoke of grief staggering toward the sun,
your nation dead beside you.
I keep walking away though it has been an eternity
and from each drop of blood
springs up sons and daughters, trees,
a mountain of sorrows, of songs.
I tell you this from the dusk of a small city in the north
not far from the birthplace of cars and industry.
Geese are returning to mate and crocuses have
broken through the frozen earth.
Soon they will come for me and I will make my stand
before the jury of destiny. Yes, I will answer in the clatter
of the new world, I have broken my addiction to war
and desire. Yes, I will reply, I have buried the dead
and made songs of the blood, the marrow.
She Had Some Horses
She had horses who were bodies of sand.
She had horses who were maps drawn of blood.
She had horses who were skins of ocean water.
She had horses who were the blue air of sky.
She had horses who were fur and teeth.
She had horses who were clay and would break.
She had horses who were splintered red cliff.
She had some horses.
She had horses with long, pointed breasts.
She had horses with full, brown thighs.
She had horses who laughed too much.
She had horses who threw rocks at glass houses.
She had horses who licked razor blades.
She had some horses.
She had horses who danced in their mothers’ arms.
She had horses who thought they were the sun and their bodies shone and burned
like stars.
She had horses who waltzed nightly on the moon.
She had horses who were much too shy, and kept quiet in stalls of their own
making.
She had some horses.
She had horses who liked Creek Stomp Dance songs.
She had horses who cried in their beer.
She had horses who spit at male queens who made them afraid of themselves.
She had horses who said they weren’t afraid.
She had horses who lied.
She had horses who told the truth, who were stripped bare of their tongues.
She had some horses.
She had horses who called themselves, ‘horse.’
She had horses who called themselves, ‘spirit.’ and kept their voices secret and to
themselves.
She had horses who had no names.
She had horses who had books of names.
She had some horses.
She had horses who whispered in the dark, who were afraid to speak.
She had horses who screamed out of fear of the silence, who carried knives to
protect themselves from ghosts.
She had horses who waited for destruction.
She had horses who waited for resurrection.
She had some horses.
She had horses who got down on their knees for any savior.
She had horses who thought their high price had saved them.
She had horses who tried to save her, who climbed in her bed at night and prayed
as they raped her.
She had some horses.
She had some horses she loved.
She had some horses she hated.
These were the same horses.
Perhaps the World Ends Here
The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live.
The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on.
We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teethe at the corners. They scrape their knees under it.
It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human. We make men at it, we make women.
At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.
Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together once again at the table.
This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.
Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror. A place to celebrate the terrible victory.
We have given birth on this table, and have prepared our parents for burial here.
At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow. We pray of suffering and remorse. We give thanks.
Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite.
FAQs: Joy Harjo Poems
Who is Joy Harjo?
Joy Harjo is a celebrated Native American poet, musician, and playwright of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. She was the first Native American appointed as the U.S. Poet Laureate, serving from 2019 to 2022. Her work often explores themes of Indigenous identity, spirituality, resilience, and the interconnectedness of humanity and nature.
What are the central themes in Joy Harjo’s poetry?
Joy Harjo’s poetry reflects a variety of profound themes, including:
- Indigenous Identity: Exploring cultural heritage, traditions, and the historical experiences of Native Americans.
- Spirituality and Connection: Highlighting the relationship between humanity, the Earth, and the divine.
- Resilience and Survival: Showcasing the strength of Indigenous communities and individuals in overcoming adversity.
- Nature and the Cosmos: Depicting the beauty and power of the natural world and its role in human life.
- Storytelling and Memory: Preserving cultural narratives and personal experiences through poetic storytelling.
What is Joy Harjo’s style of writing?
Joy Harjo’s writing style is deeply lyrical and rooted in oral storytelling traditions. Her poetry often combines vivid imagery with musicality, reflecting her background as a musician. Her work incorporates elements of mythology, history, and spirituality, creating poems that are both deeply personal and universally resonant.
What are some of Joy Harjo’s most famous poems?
Joy Harjo has written many celebrated poems that resonate with diverse audiences. Some of her most well-known works include:
- “Remember” – A meditation on interconnectedness and the importance of memory.
- “She Had Some Horses” – A complex exploration of identity and emotion.
- “Eagle Poem” – A spiritual reflection on prayer, gratitude, and connection to the divine.
- “A Map to the Next World” – A visionary piece contemplating future generations and the journey of life.
How does Joy Harjo incorporate Indigenous culture into her poetry?
Joy Harjo weaves Indigenous culture into her poetry through:
- Language and Imagery: Using symbols, metaphors, and motifs drawn from Native traditions and the natural world.
- Storytelling Tradition: Reflecting the oral traditions of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in her narrative style.
- Themes of Community: Highlighting collective experiences and cultural resilience.
- Mythology and Spirituality: Incorporating Indigenous myths and spiritual beliefs to deepen her poetic messages.
How has Joy Harjo influenced contemporary poetry?
Joy Harjo has had a significant impact on contemporary poetry by:
- Amplifying Indigenous Voices: Bringing attention to Native American experiences and perspectives in literature.
- Blending Art Forms: Combining poetry, music, and visual storytelling to create a multidimensional artistic expression.
- Championing Cultural Preservation: Using her work to preserve and celebrate Indigenous traditions and stories.
- Inspiring Future Generations: Encouraging young poets to explore their own cultural identities and tell their stories through art.
How does music influence Joy Harjo’s poetry?
As a skilled saxophonist and musician, Joy Harjo incorporates rhythm, repetition, and musicality into her poetry. The influence of jazz and Native flute music can be seen in the cadence of her lines and the emotional resonance of her words. This blend of poetry and music creates a unique, immersive experience for readers and listeners.
What awards and honors has Joy Harjo received for her work?
Joy Harjo has received numerous accolades, including:
- Being named U.S. Poet Laureate (2019-2022), the first Native American to hold this position.
- Winning the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize for lifetime achievement.
- Receiving the Wallace Stevens Award for mastery in the art of poetry.
- Being awarded multiple American Book Awards.
These honors reflect her profound contributions to poetry, culture, and the arts.
How does Joy Harjo address historical and social issues in her poetry?
Joy Harjo addresses historical and social issues by:
- Confronting Injustice: Highlighting the struggles and resilience of Indigenous communities throughout history.
- Honoring Ancestors: Paying tribute to the legacy of Native American leaders and elders.
- Promoting Awareness: Raising consciousness about issues such as colonization, environmental destruction, and cultural erasure.
- Advocating for Unity: Calling for healing and solidarity across cultures and communities.
Where can I find Joy Harjo’s poetry?
Joy Harjo’s poetry can be found in her collections, such as:
- “An American Sunrise” – A reflection on ancestry, resilience, and the contemporary Native experience.
- “She Had Some Horses” – One of her most iconic and widely celebrated works.
- “Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings” – A profound exploration of spirituality, identity, and survival.
Additionally, her poetry is often included in anthologies of contemporary and Indigenous literature. Many of her works are available in bookstores, libraries, and online platforms.
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