Joy Harjo

By: Melissa Harms

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

  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

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 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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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

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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

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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

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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

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Biography

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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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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

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Biography

Sample Poems

Inspired Poems

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List of Works

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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