Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Anchorage," Joy Harjo paints a vivid and multifaceted portrait of the city, capturing its essence through rich imagery and a deep connection to its history and the experiences of its people. The poem juxtaposes the natural and the urban, the historical and the contemporary, weaving together a narrative that speaks to survival, identity, and the continuity of cultural memory.

The opening line, "This city is made of stone, of blood, and fish," immediately grounds the reader in the physical and visceral realities of Anchorage. Harjo situates the city within its natural surroundings, with the "Chugatch Mountains to the east / and whale and seal to the west." This geographical framing emphasizes the city's connection to both land and sea, anchoring it in a specific place that is both elemental and alive.

Harjo then reflects on the transformative power of glaciers, describing them as "ice ghosts" that "create oceans, carve earth / and shape this city here, by the sound." The glaciers are depicted as ancient and powerful forces, shaping the landscape in profound ways. The idea that they "swim backwards in time" evokes a sense of historical depth and the cyclical nature of geological and cultural changes.

The poem shifts to a more contemporary scene, recalling a time when "a storm of boiling earth cracked open / the streets, threw open the town." This eruption, literal or metaphorical, suggests a moment of violent change and upheaval. Despite the current quiet, there is an underlying tension, "the cooking earth" beneath the concrete, and "air / which is another ocean" above, filled with invisible spirits "dancing, joking, getting full / on roasted caribou, and the praying / goes on, extends out." This layering of the physical and the spiritual world highlights the coexistence of different realities and the ongoing presence of ancestral spirits.

Walking down 4th Avenue with Nora, Harjo encounters an Athabascan grandmother on a park bench, embodying the historical and cultural continuity: "smelling like 200 years / of blood and piss." This vivid and raw description conveys the weight of history and the enduring presence of past sufferings and struggles. The grandmother's "unimagined darkness" and the "ache / in which nothing makes / sense" speak to the deep wounds and disorientation caused by colonization and displacement.

Harjo and Nora continue their walk, their movements softened by the awareness of this shared history: "What can we say that would make us understand / better than we do already?" They recognize the importance of acknowledging and claiming this history as their own, understanding that their dreams and aspirations are tied to the legacy of their ancestors: "two blocks away from the ocean / where our hearts still batter away at the muddy shore."

The poem then moves to the 6th Avenue jail, a place where the struggles of Native and Black men are starkly visible. Harjo recounts Henry's story of being shot at in L.A. and miraculously surviving without a scratch, surrounded by "eight cartridges strewn / on the sidewalk / all around him." This story, met with laughter, encapsulates the improbable and often unrecognized resilience of those "who were never meant / to survive."

Through "Anchorage," Harjo skillfully intertwines personal and collective memory, natural and urban landscapes, and past and present experiences. The poem serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Native and marginalized communities, their survival against all odds, and the importance of reclaiming and honoring their histories. Harjo's evocative language and poignant imagery create a powerful narrative that resonates with themes of resilience, identity, and the interconnectedness of all things.

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