“We see you, see ourselves and know
that we must take the utmost care
and kindness in all things.”
~ Joy Harjo ~
Today I’m celebrating the appointment of Joy Harjo as our nation’s new Poet Laureate. I have long been a fan of Harjo’s poetry, and can’t think of a better person to “raise the national consciousness to a greater appreciation of reading and writing poetry” at this moment when our country is so divided. Harjo has said that “humanizing and healing will be her aims” as Poet Laureate. I’m with you, Ms. Harjo!
Eagle Poem
by Joy Harjo
To pray you open your whole self
To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon
To one whole voice that is you.
And know there is more
That you can’t see, can’t hear,
Can’t know except in moments
Steadily growing, and in languages
That aren’t always sound but other
Circles of motion.
Read the rest here.
Please be sure to visit my friend Linda Mitchell at A Word Edgewise for the Poetry Friday Roundup!
Reading to the Core 
Catherine, this poem is so perfectly for you and from you. What a gift to read it here. Thank you. I am getting to know and love the ethereal feel of Harjo’s work. I am inspired….now, can I write like that? I look forward to one of your clunkers. I’m sure your clunker will be gold for me 😉
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I’m so glad that people are sharing the words of Joy Harjo. As a Canadian I wasn’t acquainted by her work. This poem, and all that I have read so far, are just stunning.
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I first saw Joy Harjo at the 2009 Dodge Poetry Festival. Hearing her read her work enters your soul. She speaks to all of humanity through her voice. This is a lovely example of her poetry and one that I know is close to your heart. Thanks for sharing.
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Catherine, I have always loved this poem! Thank you for sharing it and for celebrating Joy and her work. xo
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I’m getting the sense that every one of her poems celebrates the sacredness of each moment. I love the circular sweep of the eagle through the sky sweeping our hearts clean…
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“Humanizing and healing” seems right up her alley, and as you say, perfect for the here and now that is our country and our world. Thanks for sharing this one today, Catherine!
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I am loving all the Joy Harjo poetry today. I wholeheartedly agree with her aims to bring humanizing and healing.
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Thanks for washing us in Joy Harjo’s rich poem filled with taking care, kindness, and beauty–I hope it has rippling affects and reaches many.
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Thanks for adding the focus of Harjo’s work: “Humanizing and healing will be her aims.” That sounds so right for these troubled times. Thanks for sharing The Eagle Poem that is full of hope to opening our whole self.
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I’m getting to know Joy too, and I think so far the best summary is the title of one of her books: CONFLICT RESOLUTION FOR HOLY BEINGS. This eagle poem circles us all up as holy beings and acknowledges that our inevitable conflicts may be done “in beauty. In beauty.”
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Thanks for sharing this! I’m enjoying starting to read her work! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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