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Joy Harjo
By: Melissa Harms
Biography
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Original Poems
List of Works
Bibliography
BiographyJoy Harjo’s Legacy Lives On
“She energizes her poems with glimpses of Native journey lore, shape shifting, ghost dancers, and the geographic displacement that fractures clans and tribes” (Snodgrass 1).
This was said about Joy Harjo’s poetry and how she shows her feelings threw her work. On May 9, 1951, in Tulsa Oklahoma, Joy Foster was born as the daughter of Allen W. and Wyema Baker Foster. She is a decent of the Muscogee Creek Tribe, French, Cherokee, and Irish. On her father’s side, the Muscogee Creek Tribe, her family comes from a long line of tribal leaders (McClinton-Temple and Velie1). Even though Harjo is an enrolled member of the Muscogee Creek Tribe, she was not raised on the Indian reservation (Wilson 1). She had a very modern American life. Lois Harjo, her great aunt, has taught Foster about their Indian heritage. It is because of Lois Harjo why Joy Foster took up her maternal grandmother’s last name, Harjo, in 1970 (McClinton-Temple and Velie1). If she didn’t change her name then she probably wouldn’t have been as famous as she is today. Her Native American ethnicity has been vey influential on all of her works. Harjo’s career begins when she decided to take up a visual arts profession. As soon as she turned sixteen, she traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico. In Santa Fe she attended the Institute of American Indian Arts, where she studied painting and theatre (Wilson 1). Currently she resides in Hawaii. With her ethnicity and family talent influencing her, Harjo furthers her career with education.
Biography
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Original Poems
List of Works
Bibliography
Biography (Cont)Joy Harjo’s education was the basis of all of her achievements. Harjo graduates
from the Institute of American Indian Arts in 1968. Following her interests, she went to the University of New Mexico. After she earned her bachelors degree in English from the University of New Mexico, she moved to Iowa (McClinton-Temple and Velie1). She went to the University of Iowa, graduating in 1978 with a master in fine arts degree. After receiving her education, she moved back to Santa Fe. In the years 1978-1979, Harjo taught as an instructor at the institute of American Indian Arts. She moved to Arizona and was a lecturer at the Arizona State University from 1980-1981. She taught as an instructor, in Santa Fe, at The Institute of American Indian Arts and Santa Fe Community College from 1983-1984. She started teaching full time in 1985-1988, when Harjo taught at the University of Colorado as an assistant professor. In 1991-1995, Harjo became a creative writing full-time professor at the University of New Mexico (Wilson 1). In the midst of Harjo’s education and teaching she began writing poetry. She started writing when the National Indian Political Climate wanted vocalists and speakers. Harjo was moved with the “intensity and beauty” (Harjo and Strom 1) of poetry. Some famous writers influenced Harjo to become a poet such as Leo Remero, Simon Oritiz, Leslie Silko, and Galway Kinell. Because of these writers, her poetry won numerous awards. Some examples of these awards are the American Indian Distinguished Achievement in the Arts Award, the Josephine Miles Poetry Award, and the American William Carlos Williams Award (Academy of American Poets 1). She also has two National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing fellowships in 1978 and 1992; and an honorary doctorate from Benedictine College in 1992. These awards were given to Harjo mostly because of her style in poetry.
Biography
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Original Poems
List of Works
Bibliography
Biography (Cont)
Harjo uses various literary devices in her poems. In most of her poems she uses tone, symbols, genres, sometimes imagery and metaphors, and themes. Some of her themes are based on to re-connect with the lost. Her Native American heritage is the base of many of her poems. Harjo writes about the sacred land, the southwest landscape, her Muscogee Creek heritage, and ancestors (Poetry Foundation and The National Endowment for the Arts 1). Her work is mostly autobiographical (Poetry Foundation and The National Endowment for the Arts 1). Her personnel connection to her poetry is not only about her heritage but also about her life and what she experienced, such as a teen pregnancy and being divorced. She also involves her feminist and social concerns. Harjo makes a relationship between human and nature (Wilson 1). Joy Harjo once quoted, “I was born with eyes that can never close. . . “ (Harjo 1).
Biography
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Original Poems
List of Works
Bibliography
Collected Works
Santa Fe
September Moon
Beautiful Valley
Mudhills, Beautiful Valley
Nazlini Overlook
– Summer
Nazlini Overlook
– Winter
Pond below Tuba City
Patterns in Mudhills
Spider Rock Overlook
Burnham Mudhils
Floor of Canyon de Chelly
- Stories are our wealth.
Floor of Canyon de Chelly
-If winter describes the frozen angles of this sandy wash
Foliage at the Entrance to Canyon de Chelly
Foliage on the Floor of Canyon de Chelly
Nazlini Mudhills
-I can hear the sizzle of newborn stars
Nazlini Mudhills
-In a misty dawn at the center of the world
Creation Story
My House is the Red Earth
A Postcolonial Tale
Grace
Eagle Poem
Had-It-Up-To-Here Round Dance
Anchorage
Woman Hanging from the Thirteenth Floor Window
New Orleans
Remember
This is My Heart
No Huli
Equinox
Fear
She Had Some Horses
Deer Dancer
Fire
DesireJavelina Reconciliation
Biography
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Inspired Poems
Original Poems
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Bibliography
Eagle Poem By Joy HarjoTo 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.
Like eagle that Sunday morning
Over Salt River. Circles in blue sky
In wind, swept our hearts clean
With sacred wings.
We see you, see ourselves and know
That we must take the utmost care
And kindness in all things.
Breathe in, knowing we are made of
All this, and breathe, knowing
We are truly blessed because we
Were born, and die soon, within a
True circle of motion,
Like eagle rounding out the morning
Inside us.
We pray that it will be done
In beauty.
In beauty.
Analysis of Eagle Poem
Biography
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Analysis of Eagle Poem
Joy Harjo uses the poetic element of metaphor in her poem entitled the “Eagle Poem.” In the first verse it says “To pray you open your whole self”, this verse gives the reader the idea that this poem is formatted similar to a prayer. In this prayer format, Harjo talks about the circle of life. The verses from eighteen and twenty-one are a clear example of how she talks about the circle of life. “Breathe in, knowing we are made of/ All this, and breathe, knowing/ We are truly blessed because we/ Were born, and die soon, within a/ True circle of motion,” The idea of the circle of life is realized when the poem states “Circles of motion.” She incorporates a metaphor into this poem and the theme of the circle of life. In the middle of the poem, Harjo talks about an eagle she saw on a Sunday morning. She talks about how the eagle flies in circles in the sky over Salt River. “In wind, swept our hearts clean/ With sacred wings.” This verse expresses the beauty in the eagle flying which is a metaphor for living and loving life. This poem has a sense of calm, clarity, and magnificence. After reading this poem, a reader has to reflect on life in such a way Harjo has intended.
Biography
Sample Poems
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Original Poems
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Sample PoemsThis poem stood out to me specifically because it talks about a woman’s independence. In
the first stanza Harjo talks about what a woman need to survive. “A woman can’t survive/ by her own breathe alone . . . look at me/ I am not a separate woman.” As seen in the example, Harjo goes from a second point of view to a first person point of view. This is one reason why this poem caught my eye; another reason is how in the second stanza Harjo talks about she has survived. This comes to show how strong she is as a poet and a woman.
Fire By Joy Harjoa woman can’t
surviveby her own
breathe aloneshe must knowthe voices of mountainsshe must recognize
the foreverness of blue sky
she must flowwith the elusive
bodiesof night wind
womenwho will take
her intoher own self
look at mei am not a separate
womani am a
continuanceof blue sky
i am the throatof the Sandia
mountainsa night wind
womanwho burns
with every breathshe takes
Biography
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Sample PoemsI like this poem because Harjo uses great description in this poem. She uses a metaphor
when telling about the moon. She states that the moon is a woman, “The woman of the moon looking at us. “ She also incorporates the setting into the description too. It makes the reader feel like they are practically in the poem. Joy Harjo has the talent of making people feel a certain way and she shows that in this poem.
September Moon By Joy Harjo Last night she called and told me
about the moon over San Francisco Bay. Here in Albuquerque it is mirrored in a cool, dark Sandia sky. The reflection is within all of us. Orange, and almost the harvest moon. Wind and the chill of the colder months coming on. The children and I watched it, crossing San Pedro and Central coming up from the state fair. Wind blowing my hair was caught in my face. I was fearful of traffic, trying to keep my steps and the moon was east,
out of any skin that was covering her. Naked. Such beauty. Look.We are alive. The woman of the moon looking at us, and we looking at her, acknowledging each other.
Biography
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Inspired Poems
Original Poems
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Inspired Poems
Remember the sky that you were born under, know each of the star's stories. Remember the moon, know who she is. I met her in a bar once in Iowa City. Remember the sun's birth at dawn, that is the strongest point of time. Remember sundown and the giving away to night. Remember your birth, how your mother struggled to give you form and breath. You are evidence of her life, and her mother's, and hers. Remember your father. He is your life also. Remember the earth whose skin you are: red earth, black earth, yellow earth, white earth brown earth, we are earth. Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their tribes, their families, their histories, too. Talk to them, listen to them. They are alive poems. Remember the wind. Remember her voice. She knows the origin of this universe. I heard her singing Kiowa war dance songs at the corner of Fourth and Central once. Remember that you are all people and that all people are you. Remember that you are this universe and that this universe is you. Remember that all is in motion, is growing, is you. Remember that language comes from this. Remember the dance that language is, that life is. Remember.
Remember By Joy Harjo
Poem Inspired By Remember By
Joy Harjo
Biography
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Inspired Poems
As you start your new chapter
In the book of life
You need to remember. . .
The value of a dollarFor if you don’t The world will make you seem smallerSo spend reasonable
Be excited. You’re full grownIndependentAnd now on your own
Try new thingsNo matter where life takes you Have your family to remember
As you drive away you may look backAnd want to stayBut your new life begins today
Remember By Melissa Harms
Biography
If you’re scared Let out your tearsAs your sisterI’ll take away those fears
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Inspired Poems
It's true the landscape forms the mind. If stand here long enough I'll learn how to sing. None of that country & western heartbreak stuff, or operatic duels, but something cool as the blues, or close to the sound of a Navajo woman singing early in the morning.
Foliage on the Canyon Floor By Joy Harjo
Poem Inspired By Foliage on the Canyon Floor
Biography
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Inspired Poems
Step outside to a perfect day. The sun is hiding but it’s slowly seeping out from behind the houses as I walk down the street. Now at the corner where two streets meet; a bust of sunshine comes at me, coming out like a child being caught in a game of hiding-go-seek. I turn around for the reason that the sun was in my eyes. On a single tree, there are birds singing early in the morning.
Sunrise in FargoBy Melissa Harms
Biography
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Original Poems
Hit
Every motion of every stunt
Sharp
Flawless to the end
Trust
In yourself and others
Give
110 percent or go home
Falling
It’s not when its if
Smile
Not only with your mouth but with your eyes
Sisters
Closer than anyone can imagine
Practice
For those 2 minutes and 38 seconds of glory
Dedication
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year
We are State Champions
We are National Champions
We are thee West Fargo High School Cheerleaders
The Secret to CheerleadingBy Melissa Harms
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Original Poems
Branching out
The tree of love
Reaching
For something she can’t touch.
As she goes,
As she soars,
She spreads her gifts
Joy,
Peace,
Friendship,
Laughter and smiles,
All fill nature’s beauty.
At the bottom of her trunk,
The deepest of her roots
She spreads her burdens
Sorrow,
War,
Heartbreak,
Fights and hatred,
All fill nature’s pollution.
Nature’s Tree By Melissa Harms
Biography
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Bibliography Biography
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Original Poems
List of Works
Bibliography
Biography: http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/60
http://www.hanksville.org/storytellers/joy/
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/joy-harjo
http://poetryoutloud.org/poems/poet.html?id=2929
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/H/HA021.html
http://www.fofweb.com/Lit/default.asp?ItemID=WE54
http://www.fofweb.com/Lit/default.asp?ItemID=WE54
Fire (Poem): http://www.gaianvoices.com/members/gaianvoices/blog/VIEW/00000008/00000041/FireJoy-Harjo.html#00000041
September Moon (Poem): http://www.hanksville.org/voyage/places/Albuquerque/Albuquerque4.html
Eagle Poem (Poem):
http://www.panhala.net/Archive/Eagle_Poem.html
Remember (Poem):
http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/Harjo/
Foliage on the Canyon Floor de Chelly (Poem): http://www.hanksville.org/voyage/secrets/foliage2.html
Bibliography
Biography
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Original Poems
List of Works
Bibliography
Fire picture: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.backgroundpictures.org/p/fire/fire_01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.backgroundpictures.org/p/fire/page-1.html&usg=__QWOY21n4AQ-YHBaVHssN2uj0mg4=&h=1200&w=1600&sz=700&hl=en&start=283&zoom=1&tbnid=NSXrnFGcJEKqZM:&tbnh=148&tbnw=197&ei=VK2-TcG8N8W3twetqtDCBQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dfire%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D816%26site%3Dsearch%26tbm%3Disch&chk=sbg&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=203&page=13&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:283&tx=107&ty=70
Eagle picture: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hickerphoto.com/data/media/161/soaring-eagle_6822.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hickerphoto.com/soaring-eagle-6822-pictures.htm&usg=__WXPHJkwCkhMvS_nnw4ZSVzkRsoI=&h=312&w=468&sz=51&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=JfERQHzALcpkuM:&tbnh=157&tbnw=209&ei=h62-TdbFAsjKgQevguWOBw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Deagle%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D816%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=134&vpy=103&dur=687&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=142&ty=95&page=1&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0
Pictures for “The Secret to Cheerleading”, “Sunrise in Fargo”, and “Remember” are all my, Melissa Harms, personal pictures.
BibliographyBiograph
y
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Original Poems
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September Moon Picture: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nightskyinfo.com/sky_highlights/hunters_moon/full_moon.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.nightskyinfo.com/sky_highlights/hunters_moon/&usg=__-goceKiTo9ea1bS9HfqphjeMiDc=&h=600&w=600&sz=63&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=P2jX74iPq4PKiM:&tbnh=161&tbnw=152&ei=1q2-Tf-8AYfYgQen89GnBw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmoon%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D816%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=62&page=1&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0&tx=120&ty=68
Nature’s tree Picture:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://pastoralia.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/tree-of-life-web.jpg&imgrefurl=http://pastoralia.org/theology/3-simple-questions-about-jesus&usg=__uCgdf1-yWlpePGrIrNCvQfCsHXE=&h=640&w=640&sz=95&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=ihmLmeW8qQBMPM:&tbnh=166&tbnw=165&ei=A66-TbzPKordgQeJrMyvBw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtree%2Bof%2Blove%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D816%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=412&vpy=252&dur=5241&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=87&ty=137&page=1&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0
Bibliography
Biography
Sample Poems
Inspired Poems
Original Poems
List of Works
Bibliography
Harjo pictures:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.universeofpoetry.org/images/Joy_Harjo.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.universeofpoetry.org/mvskoke-creek.shtml&usg=__Un6VA5mP1lmC6W7sPHQWrCx3tfI=&h=200&w=150&sz=6&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=DU0HNQQIpq2p3M:&tbnh=160&tbnw=120&ei=ga6-Tbi3K4fegQf5nL2TBw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Djoy%2Bharjo%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D816%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=293&vpy=117&dur=62&hovh=160&hovw=120&tx=96&ty=55&page=1&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0
http://www.nativewiki.org/Joy_Harjo
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.poemsoutloud.net/images/uploads/poets/Harjo-330.jpg&imgrefurl=http://poemsoutloud.net/audio/archive/harjo_reads_she_had_some_horses/&usg=__Gu-aXB_sr_QUAt9YJGhl5NqlgIQ=&h=330&w=330&sz=14&hl=en&start=28&zoom=1&tbnid=WzjTvJiLRLxVsM:&tbnh=147&tbnw=191&ei=3q6-TZuPC8eztweO6ajXBQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Djoy%2Bharjo%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D816%26site%3Dsearch%26tbm%3Disch0%2C490&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=488&vpy=317&dur=1232&hovh=224&hovw=224&tx=108&ty=107&page=2&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:28&biw=1259&bih=816