Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Remember," Joy Harjo offers a lyrical invocation to connect deeply with the natural world, ancestry, and the fundamental elements that compose life. The poem serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things and encourages an awareness of the world that is both spiritual and physical. Harjo’s use of repetition and rich imagery creates a meditative and reflective tone, urging readers to engage in a profound act of remembering.

The poem begins with a simple yet profound directive: "Remember the sky that you were born under, / know each of the star's stories." This opening line establishes a connection between the reader and the vast, encompassing sky. By urging us to "know each of the star's stories," Harjo emphasizes the importance of recognizing our place within the larger universe and the myriad narratives that have shaped it.

Harjo continues with a personal anecdote: "Remember the moon, know who she is. I met her / in a bar once in Iowa City." This intimate moment brings the celestial down to a human level, suggesting that the moon, like all elements of nature, has a personality and presence that can be encountered and known in everyday life. This blending of the cosmic with the mundane reinforces the poem’s theme of interconnectedness.

The cyclical nature of time is highlighted through the reference to the sun: "Remember the sun's birth at dawn, that is the / strongest point of time. Remember sundown / and the giving away to night." By emphasizing both dawn and sundown, Harjo points to the continuous cycle of beginnings and endings, a natural rhythm that governs all life.

The poem then turns to the deeply personal and familial: "Remember your birth, how your mother struggled / to give you form and breath. You are evidence of / her life, and her mother's, and hers. / Remember your father. He is your life also." These lines connect the reader to their immediate lineage, emphasizing that each individual is a living testament to their ancestors' struggles and lives. This connection to family roots the reader in a personal history that is part of a larger, collective experience.

Harjo broadens this sense of connection to include the earth and all living beings: "Remember the earth whose skin you are: / red earth, black earth, yellow earth, white earth / brown earth, we are earth." This inclusive list of earth colors highlights the unity and diversity of humanity, reminding us that all humans are fundamentally part of the same earth.

"Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their / tribes, their families, their histories, too. Talk to them, / listen to them. They are alive poems." Here, Harjo personifies nature, giving plants and animals their own histories and families. By describing them as "alive poems," she suggests that they have wisdom and stories to share, reinforcing the idea that communication with nature is both possible and valuable.

The poem continues to expand its scope: "Remember the wind. Remember her voice. She knows the / origin of this universe. I heard her singing Kiowa war / dance songs at the corner of Fourth and Central once." The wind is given a voice and a deep, ancient knowledge, further blending the natural and the spiritual. The specific reference to hearing the wind sing a cultural song in a contemporary setting underscores the ongoing presence of ancestral traditions in modern life.

Harjo concludes with a powerful reminder of unity and motion: "Remember that you are all people and that all people are you. / Remember that you are this universe and that this universe is you. / Remember that all is in motion, is growing, is you." These lines encapsulate the poem’s central message of interconnectedness and continuous growth. The repetition of "remember" throughout the poem acts as both a gentle command and a mantra, reinforcing the importance of this awareness.

The final lines bring the poem full circle: "Remember that language comes from this. / Remember the dance that language is, that life is. / Remember." Here, Harjo connects the act of remembering to language and dance, emphasizing that life itself is a dynamic, communicative process. The poem leaves readers with a sense of continuity and the vital importance of remembering and honoring all aspects of existence.

"Remember" by Joy Harjo is a deeply reflective poem that calls for an awareness of the intricate connections that define our lives. Through vivid imagery and a rhythmic, repetitive structure, Harjo invites readers to engage in a contemplative practice of remembering their place within the larger tapestry of life, nature, and the universe.

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