Family Album
Photo by Amy LV
Students – I am so
happy to share the name of our new Poet Laureate of the United States. Joy Harjo is a wise, accomplished poet whose
work I admire greatly. She is a member of the Mvskoke Nation and our first
Native American Poet Laureate. You can
read more about her at The Poetry Foundation. As Poet Laureate, Joy follows the
talented Tracy K. Smith whose daily radio program and podcast, The Slowdown,
has been a gift.
Once the World Was Perfect
by Joy Harjo
Once the world was perfect, and we were happy in that world.
Then we took it for granted.
Discontent began a small rumble in the earthly mind.
Then doubt pushed through with its spiked head.
Read the rest of the poem HERE.
Writing in the silence after reading is a beautiful, inspiring way to listen to what is inside of you. Should you ever feel at a loss for words, read something you love. Read it more than once. Read it aloud. Then listen. Write.
Did you notice that my poem is written with a circular beginning and ending? Remember, this is a type of beginning and ending you can always try out.
For other Poetry Friday posts highlighting Joy Harjo, visit Mary Lee at A Year of Reading, Irene Latham at Live Your Poem, Michelle Kogan at Michelle Kogan, Catherine at Reading to the Core, and Carol at Carol's Corner. Thank you, Mary Lee, for the suggestion to share Joy's words today. I have been happy about this announcement all week.
Linda is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup over at A Word Edgewise with something fun - a clunker exchange! She's also got this week's poetry offerings from all around the Kidlitosphere. Please know that we gather each Friday, and all are always welcome.
Joy Harjo
Photo by Karen Kuehn
From The Poetry Foundation Website
I wrote today's poem by reading and reading one of my favorite Joy Harjo poems, Once the World Was Perfect. I simply read and read it again, aloud, listening for a connection, for something I could write in the silence of my listening. Joy's image of people from long ago stays with me. Below you can read the beginning lines of this poem:Photo by Karen Kuehn
From The Poetry Foundation Website
Once the World Was Perfect
by Joy Harjo
Once the world was perfect, and we were happy in that world.
Then we took it for granted.
Discontent began a small rumble in the earthly mind.
Then doubt pushed through with its spiked head.
Read the rest of the poem HERE.
Writing in the silence after reading is a beautiful, inspiring way to listen to what is inside of you. Should you ever feel at a loss for words, read something you love. Read it more than once. Read it aloud. Then listen. Write.
Did you notice that my poem is written with a circular beginning and ending? Remember, this is a type of beginning and ending you can always try out.
For other Poetry Friday posts highlighting Joy Harjo, visit Mary Lee at A Year of Reading, Irene Latham at Live Your Poem, Michelle Kogan at Michelle Kogan, Catherine at Reading to the Core, and Carol at Carol's Corner. Thank you, Mary Lee, for the suggestion to share Joy's words today. I have been happy about this announcement all week.
Linda is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup over at A Word Edgewise with something fun - a clunker exchange! She's also got this week's poetry offerings from all around the Kidlitosphere. Please know that we gather each Friday, and all are always welcome.
Please share a comment below if you wish.
