The living poet I’m celebrating today is Joy Harjo, our National Poet Laureate from 2019 to 2022. Harjo is a Native American poet who writes about nature, sky, and origins. I am using her existing lines from The Woman Who Fell from the Sky to create a Cento poem.
You can read more about Joy Harjo here.
Night Sky
From the moon we all look the same
When the earth makes a particularly hard turn
When embers from the sacred middle are climbing out the other side of stars
Wings of night sky
Or is it the shadow of a woman on the run?
Lines taken from the poems, in this order: Promise; The Song of the House in the House; The Place the Musician Became a Bear; The Dawn Appears with Butterflies; Witness
Common Threads 
You must listen to Krista Tippett’s On Being episode with Joy Harjo and Tracy K. Smith!
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Thank you for the nudge to listen to this, Margaret! I’ve linked it here for anyone else who is interested, and I’m watching now https://youtu.be/0i-sE9etGZI?si=0h18uJf5mXeqJ-_l
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I’m really enjoying your centos this month. I often read them even when I don’t have time to comment. (Sorry!) I’m fascinated by how the lines you choose hint at both the author and you. It’s a collaboration of sorts.
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Thank you, Molly! I understand the time crunch and am just grateful that you are enjoying the poets and centos. I, too, often want to comment more on the blogs of others and how much they impact me but look at the clock and have to run to the next thing…..no apologies needed! I do the same.
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I do love this poet! I figured she’s be shared by you this month. What a line: From the moon we all look the same
Reminds me to keep considering POV. And I agree with Margaret. Krista Tippet and Joy have a lovely conversation!
https://onbeing.org/programs/joy-harjo-and-tracy-k-smith-this-world-is-full-of-everything-good-everything-beautiful/
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Thank you so much for linking this with a live link, Sally! Joy is absolutely a treasure. Imagine a world where everyone had her heart. We would not be fighting any wars because we would all understand the root of humanity and Mother Earth. She reminds me so much of Robin Wall Kimmerer in her core beliefs that I perceive, from Braiding Sweetgrass – – one book that leaves a mark on my soul. Thanks for reading!
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Oh I love Joy Harjo. I got to see her speak a few years ago.
Love your first two lines and how they are stronger together.
A good message to consider in our conflicted times.
Thank you, Kim!
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Sharon, what a joy! Literally! I can’t wait for her book Cloud Runner to release in October. It sounds like this one will be her most heartfelt book yet. It deals with grief.
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Oh I am here for a book by a great poet on grief! Thanks for the heads up!
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Celebrate living poets? Yes, please. Thanks for this. I’m going to have to dig further in by looking at previous posts.
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Thank you! I have been digging in since the beginning of this month.
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Kim,
I love that first line. I wish more people understood this. It’s an echo of the idea we all bleed the same color blood. I was just reading about Pete Hegseth telling people to pray for his evil war machine. It makes me sick. I’ll pray that guy burns in hell for his murder of women and children. I also love the last line. I’m thinking about the shadows of women today. You c as nt go wrong with Joy Harjo.
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You really can’t go wrong with her poetry. I’m ready for Cloud Runner to come out in October. This one will deal with deep grief, and I am discovering the depth of her meaning in so much of her poetry. Thank you, Glenda.
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Kim, I really love Harjo’s poetry. I also love your cento today and adore the last two lines:
Wings of night sky
Or is it the shadow of a woman on the run?
Such a provocative ending. Bravo.
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Thank you, Barb! She is a gem of a poet.
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Joy Harjo is a wonderful poet! She did a Zoom workshop for our Writing Project a few years ago. I use the poem “Remember” with teachers and students as a writing prompt. It’s quite beautiful. Your posts really bring great poets alive. Thanks for this.
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What a treat to have worked directly with Joy Harjo! I know that must be a standout memory!
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I sometimes struggle to come up with a “lead in” or teaser for my slices when I add the comment on the daily call for slices. “Morning Joy” is PERFECT for this slice! Again, I enjoyed your cento and loved the first line.
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Thank you, Lori!
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