Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Backwards," Joy Harjo creates a vivid and haunting scene that blends personal memory, surreal imagery, and a sense of cyclical time. The poem explores themes of displacement, violence, and the fragmented nature of history and experience. Through its disjointed narrative and evocative symbolism, Harjo invites readers to contemplate the complexities of memory and the forces that shape our perceptions of the past.

The poem opens with a striking and surreal image: "The moon that night was thrown off the bridge, the one near Mesita the tracks crawl under - / I was driving over when I saw it; white skeleton laying on the blood ground." This scene immediately sets a tone of disorientation and surrealism. The moon, a symbol often associated with constancy and guidance, is depicted as a "white skeleton" on "blood ground," suggesting a violent upheaval of the natural order. The bridge and railroad tracks further evoke a sense of transition and movement, but also of decay and abandonment.

Harjo continues with the imagery of the moon: "fallen moon rolling up / the bone railroad / whirring of soft seeds and thunderstorms caught in stiff skin rattles." The moon's rolling up the railroad tracks combines natural and mechanical elements, creating a sense of unnatural motion and dislocation. The "whirring of soft seeds and thunderstorms" trapped in "stiff skin rattles" evokes a feeling of confinement and the disruption of natural cycles.

The poem then shifts to a broader, almost mythic reflection: "Something tries to turn the earth around. Blue dawn to the yellow west. / California to New York." This line suggests a reversal of the natural order, as if some force is attempting to rewrite or undo the established progression of time and geography. The mention of "California to New York" implies a journey or migration across the country, emphasizing the theme of displacement and the search for meaning in a disrupted world.

The narrative voice then becomes more personal and intimate: "... when the dance is over, sweetheart I will take you home in my one-eyed Ford." This line brings a moment of tenderness and human connection into the otherwise chaotic and surreal landscape of the poem. The "one-eyed Ford" suggests a vehicle that is damaged or incomplete, yet still capable of providing a sense of direction and home.

The moon reappears in a dream-like memory: "The moon came up white, and torn at the edges. I dreamed when I was four that I was standing on it." This dream sequence emphasizes the fragile and fragmented nature of memory. The moon, now "torn at the edges," reflects a sense of loss and incompleteness. The speaker's childhood dream of standing on the moon suggests a longing for stability and wonder, now marred by subsequent experiences.

The poem concludes with a violent and disturbing image: "A whiteman with a knife cut pieces away / and threw the meat / to the dogs." This stark and brutal act of dismemberment symbolizes the historical and ongoing violence inflicted upon indigenous peoples and cultures. The moon, which initially symbolized purity and constancy, is reduced to pieces thrown to the dogs, reflecting the degradation and dehumanization experienced by the oppressed.

"Backwards" by Joy Harjo is a powerful exploration of memory, violence, and the fragmented nature of history. Through its surreal and evocative imagery, the poem captures the disorientation and pain of displacement, while also reflecting on the tender moments of human connection that persist despite the chaos. Harjo's work invites readers to confront the complexities of the past and to seek understanding in the midst of upheaval and disruption.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...