Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Eagle Poem," Joy Harjo offers a profound meditation on the interconnectedness of all life, the sacredness of existence, and the power of prayer. The poem invokes the imagery of the eagle, a powerful and revered symbol in many Indigenous cultures, to explore themes of unity, awareness, and the cyclical nature of life.

The poem begins with an invocation to prayer: "To pray you open your whole self / To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon / To one whole voice that is you." Harjo sets the tone of the poem with these lines, emphasizing that true prayer involves opening oneself completely to the universe. This act of opening is not just physical but spiritual, an invitation to connect deeply with the natural elements and the larger cosmos.

Harjo continues to expand on this idea of connection: "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." These lines acknowledge the limitations of human perception and the existence of deeper, often intangible, truths that can only be experienced in fleeting, growing moments. The reference to "languages / That aren’t always sound" suggests that understanding and communication extend beyond verbal language to include the silent, rhythmic motions of life.

The eagle appears as a central figure in the poem: "Like eagle that Sunday morning / Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky / In wind, swept our hearts clean / With sacred wings." The eagle's circling flight represents a sacred act, a cleansing of the heart and spirit. The imagery of the eagle in the blue sky, carried by the wind, conveys a sense of freedom and purity, as well as the powerful presence of the sacred in the natural world.

Harjo emphasizes the importance of seeing and recognizing our connection to the world: "We see you, see ourselves and know / That we must take the utmost care / And kindness in all things." This recognition of the interconnectedness of all life calls for a commitment to care and kindness. The act of seeing is transformative, leading to an awareness of our responsibilities toward each other and the environment.

The poem culminates in a reflection on the cycle 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." Harjo underscores the idea that we are intrinsically connected to the universe, composed of the same elements as the sky, earth, sun, and moon. The acknowledgment of life’s brevity—"we / Were born, and die soon"—is balanced by the affirmation that we are part of a "true circle of motion," echoing the eagle's circular flight.

The final lines of the poem encapsulate a prayer for beauty and harmony: "Like eagle rounding out the morning / Inside us. / We pray that it will be done / In beauty. / In beauty." The repetition of "In beauty" reinforces the desire for a life lived in harmony with the natural world and the sacred. The eagle's motion becomes a metaphor for the inner journey and the aspiration to maintain beauty and grace within ourselves and in our interactions with the world.

"Eagle Poem" by Joy Harjo is a lyrical and contemplative work that invites readers to reflect on their place in the universe and the sacredness of existence. Through the imagery of the eagle and the invocation of prayer, Harjo emphasizes the importance of awareness, kindness, and the recognition of our interconnectedness with all life. The poem serves as a reminder of the beauty inherent in the cycles of nature and the power of prayer to bring us into harmony with the world around us.

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