Put down that bag of potato chips, that white bread, that bottle of pop.
Turn off that cellphone, computer, and remote control.
Open the door, then close it behind you.
Take a breath offered by friendly winds. They travel the earth gathering essences of plants to clean.
Give it back with gratitude.
If you sing it will give your spirit lift to fly to the stars’ ears and back.
Acknowledge this earth who has cared for you since you were a dream planting itself precisely within your parents’ desire.
Let your moccasin feet take you to the encampment of the guardians who have known you before time, who will be there after time. They sit before the fire that has been there without time.
Let the earth stabilize your postcolonial insecure jitters.
Be respectful of the small insects, birds and animal people who accompany you.
Ask their forgiveness for the harm we humans have brought down upon them.
On Earth Day, an excerpt from the poem For Calling the Spirit Back from Wandering the Earth in Its Human Feet from Joy Harjo’s 2015 book Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings.
5 Comments
Thank you…
Such a touching fragment. I often forget to take a minute and connect with the word around me. Thanks for sharing <3
Absolutely gorgeous poem. I love Joy Harjo’s work. “Perhaps the World Ends Here” is one of my favorites.
Me too.
Have you ever read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall-Kimmerer? It’s one of the most beautiful, grounding books I have read. Similar sentiments in this poem, which is lovely. Thank you for sharing.
Comments are moderated.