Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Song for the Deer and Myself to Return On," Joy Harjo crafts a poignant reflection on the search for belonging and connection in an urban environment far removed from ancestral roots. The poem weaves together elements of nature, tradition, and the modern world, highlighting the deep longing for home and the spiritual journey that transcends physical spaces.

The poem opens with a serene yet powerful image: "This morning when I looked out the roof window / before dawn and / a few stars were still caught / in the fragile weft of ebony night / I was overwhelmed." This moment captures the stillness and beauty of early morning, with stars delicately interwoven in the night sky. The use of "fragile weft" suggests a delicate, intricate connection, evoking a sense of awe and contemplation.

Harjo then introduces a song taught by Louis, "a song to call the deer in Creek, when hunting," linking her present moment to a traditional practice. This song represents a bridge between past and present, tradition and modernity. By singing this song, Harjo invokes a connection to her cultural heritage and the natural world, even while situated in an urban setting.

The metaphor of hunting is central to the poem: "and I am certainly hunting something as magic as deer / in this city far from the hammock of my mother’s belly." Here, Harjo acknowledges her quest for something elusive and magical, akin to deer, within the confines of a city. The "hammock of my mother’s belly" symbolizes the comfort and security of home, contrasting sharply with the unfamiliar urban environment.

The magic of the song becomes evident as "deer came into this room / and wondered at finding themselves / in a house near downtown Denver." This surreal moment blurs the lines between the natural and the urban, the past and the present. The presence of deer in the city serves as a powerful symbol of the enduring connection to nature and tradition, even in the most unlikely places.

Harjo and the deer then embark on a new quest: "Now the deer and I are trying to figure out a song / to get them back, to get all of us back." This line underscores the mutual search for a path back to their origins, a return to a place of belonging and peace. The collaborative effort to find this song signifies a shared journey and a communal quest for home.

The poem concludes with a poignant reflection on time and belonging: "because if it works I’m going with them. / And it’s too early to call Louis / and nearly too late to go home." Harjo expresses a deep desire to return to a place of origin, to follow the deer back to the comfort and familiarity of home. The temporal tension—"too early to call Louis / and nearly too late to go home"—captures the urgency and complexity of this longing, suggesting a moment of decision and transition.

"Song for the Deer and Myself to Return On" is a deeply evocative poem that explores themes of belonging, tradition, and the search for connection in a modern world. Harjo's use of rich imagery and cultural references creates a layered narrative that resonates with the universal human experience of seeking home and understanding one's place in the world. Through the interplay of nature and urbanity, tradition and modernity, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own journeys and the enduring ties that bind them to their origins.

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