Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "We Encounter Nat King Cole as We Invent the Future," Joy Harjo offers a vivid and nostalgic reflection on the intertwining of past memories, present experiences, and future hopes through the lens of music, particularly the timeless influence of Nat King Cole. The poem captures a moment of shared history and intimate connection, all while exploring the enduring power of love and music.

The poem begins with a scene that evokes a sense of camaraderie and nostalgia: "Camme and I listened to Nat King Cole and she sweetly lay her head / on the shoulder of some well-slicked man and off / she went some slow easy step some thirty years ago." Harjo immediately situates us in a specific time and place, where the music of Nat King Cole provides the soundtrack to a moment of tender memory. The "well-slicked man" and the reference to thirty years ago highlight the passage of time and the lasting impact of these memories.

Harjo continues to blend the past with the present: "it wasn’t / yesterday but ghosts of time in tilted hats are ushered / by our heartbeats into the living room as we eat fried chicken, / drink Cokes and talk about swing." This imagery creates a sense of continuity, where the past is ever-present and alive in the details of everyday life. The act of sharing a meal and reminiscing about swing music underscores the communal and timeless nature of these experiences.

The poem touches on the unspoken but palpable presence of heartbreak: "don’t talk / about heartbreak but it’s in the stirred air. How we loved, / and how we love. There is no end to it." Harjo acknowledges the lingering pain and enduring nature of love, suggesting that these emotions are an integral part of their shared history and identity. The reference to "a crack-the-whip snapping everything / we were in the lifetime of a song" emphasizes the power of music to evoke powerful memories and emotions, transporting the listeners back to significant moments in their lives.

As the scene transitions, Harjo reflects on the ephemeral nature of these moments: "And when the Cokes are gone, / chicken bones drying in the sun, / radio shifted into another plane of time, I don’t know / what to believe. My heart’s a steady tattoo of roses." The imagery of leftover remnants and the shifting radio signal underscores the passage of time and the fleeting nature of these shared experiences. The "steady tattoo of roses" on the heart symbolizes the enduring impact of these memories and emotions, even as the physical remnants fade away.

Harjo then explores the themes of longing and imagination: "Camme and I go to sleep in our different houses, she without / her dancing man, and me with my imaginary lover / outlined in smoke, coming up the road." This juxtaposition of reality and imagination highlights the universal experience of longing and the hope for connection. The reference to "a song / that hasn’t been written yet" speaks to the potential and promise of the future, where new experiences and connections are still possible.

The poem reaches a moment of revelation and transcendence: "Yesterday I turned north on Greasewood / the long way home and was shocked to see a double rainbow / two-stepping across the valley. Suddenly / there were twin gods bending over to plant something like / themselves in the wet earth, a song / larger than all our cheap hopes, our small-town radios." This vivid imagery of the double rainbow and the divine act of creation suggests a moment of profound beauty and connection to the larger universe. The "song / larger than all our cheap hopes" signifies the transcendent power of love and music to elevate and transform ordinary life.

In the final lines, Harjo weaves together the various elements of the poem into a unified vision: "whipping everything back / into the geometry of dreams: became Nat King Cole / became the sultry blue moon became all / perfumed romantic strangers became Camme and me / became love / suddenly." This closing passage highlights the transformative power of music and memory, where past and present, reality and imagination, all converge into a singular experience of love and connection. The repetition of "became" emphasizes the fluidity and interconnectedness of these experiences, culminating in the sudden and all-encompassing presence of love.

"We Encounter Nat King Cole as We Invent the Future" is a beautifully reflective and evocative poem that captures the enduring power of music, memory, and love. Through rich imagery and intimate moments, Joy Harjo explores the complex interplay of past, present, and future, inviting readers to consider the timeless and transformative nature of these fundamental human experiences.

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