Poetry Unbound Joy Harjo — Praise the Rain
5 snips
Feb 28, 2020 Joy Harjo, the 23rd poet laureate of the United States and a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, shares insights from her poem "Praise the Rain." She emphasizes celebrating ordinary moments and embracing the full spectrum of life’s experiences, echoing the sentiments found in Rumi's "The Guest House." Through vivid imagery, Harjo invites us to appreciate both the joyful and sorrowful aspects of existence, encouraging a mindset of praise. She poses a thought-provoking question: What can you praise today?
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Praise in Poetry
- Joy Harjo's poem "Praise the Rain" responds to Rumi's "The Guest House."
- Harjo's poem focuses on praising all aspects of life, rather than prescribing a specific emotional response.
Embrace All Feelings
- Harjo doesn't dictate how to feel; she encourages praising everything.
- This allows for self-acceptance amidst life's changing dynamics.
Uncontainable Elements
- The poem contains restless, uncontainable elements like a "slack house" and a talking raven.
- These elements highlight life's complexities and encourage reflection on similar dynamics in our lives.