Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Songline of Dawn," Joy Harjo beautifully captures the transcendence of a morning ascent, blending personal reflection with broader spiritual and cultural themes. The poem explores the interconnectedness of life, the divine, and the natural world, using the imagery of flight and dawn to symbolize elevation and enlightenment.

The poem opens with an evocative scene: "We are ascending through the dawn / the sky blushed with the fever / of attraction." This image sets the tone for the journey, portraying the dawn as a time of awakening and intense beauty. The phrase "fever of attraction" suggests a passionate and magnetic pull, drawing the speaker upward and outward into a new day.

Harjo then introduces a poignant personal element: "I don’t want to leave my daughter, / or the babies. / I can see their house, a refuge in the dark near the university." This admission grounds the poem in a sense of familial love and responsibility, even as the speaker is physically and spiritually ascending. The house, described as a "refuge," serves as a symbol of safety and comfort amidst the uncertainties of life.

The invocation of divine protection adds a layer of spiritual depth: "Protect them, oh gods of the scarlet light / who love us fiercely despite our acts of stupidity / our utter failings." This plea highlights the unconditional nature of divine love and protection, acknowledging human imperfections while seeking grace and safety for loved ones. The "scarlet light" evokes the dawn's transformative power, symbolizing both danger and beauty.

Harjo's imagery of morning light as sustenance is powerful: "May this morning light be food for their bones, / for their spirits dressed / in manes of beautiful black hair / in skins the color of the earth as it meets the sky." This metaphorical nourishment underscores the essential and life-giving nature of light, connecting it to physical and spiritual well-being. The description of "manes of beautiful black hair" and "skins the color of the earth" celebrates cultural and physical identity, rooting the poem in a deep sense of belonging and heritage.

As the ascent continues, the poem moves into a more mythic realm: "Higher we fly over the valley of monster bones / left scattered in the dirt to remind us that breathing / is rooted somewhere other than the lungs." This image of "monster bones" serves as a reminder of mortality and the enduring presence of the past. The notion that "breathing / is rooted somewhere other than the lungs" suggests a spiritual breath, a life force that transcends the physical.

Harjo's spirit ascends with reverence, recognizing the shared story of resilience and transformation: "My spirit approaches with reverence / because it harbors the story, of how these beloveds appeared to fail / then climbed into the sky to stars of indigo." This narrative of overcoming and ascending to the stars reinforces themes of hope and perseverance. The "stars of indigo" symbolize a mystical destination, a place of beauty and mystery.

The journey continues past the "laughter and tears / of the babies who will grow up to become a light field / just beyond us." This vision of the future generation becoming a "light field" encapsulates the poem's hopeful outlook, envisioning a bright and radiant future emerging from the present.

The climax of the poem occurs as "the sun breaks over the yawning mountain. / And the plane shivers as we dip toward / an old volcanic field." This moment of sunrise signifies a new beginning, while the "old volcanic field" suggests ancient, enduring power and the ongoing presence of natural forces shaped by divine love: "It is still smoldering / motivated by the love of one deity for another."

Harjo concludes with a reflection on the unity between humans and the divine: "It’s an old story and we’re in it so deep we have become them. / The sun leans on one elbow after making love, / savoring the wetlands just off the freeway. / We are closer to the gods than we ever thought possible." This final imagery of the sun "leaning on one elbow" personifies the celestial body, merging the human with the divine. The realization that "we are closer to the gods than we ever thought possible" encapsulates the poem's exploration of spiritual ascent, connection, and the profound unity of existence.

"Songline of Dawn" is a masterful blend of personal reflection, cultural heritage, and spiritual exploration. Through rich imagery and contemplative language, Joy Harjo invites readers to consider the profound connections that bind us to our ancestors, the natural world, and the divine, celebrating the journey of life as a sacred and interconnected experience.

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