The Creation Story (by Joy Harjo)

January 31st, 2008 at 5:54 pm (Poetics)

org-school-altar.jpg

(Above: The altar from the first SONG Organizing School in Jacksonville, FL, Jan. 2008)

The Creation Story

By Joy Harjo

I’m not afraid of love
or its consequences of light.

It’s not easy to say this
or anything when my entrails
dangle between paradise
and fear.

I am ashamed
I never had the words
to carry a friend from her death
to the stars
correctly.

Or the words to keep my people safe from drought
or gunshot.

The stars who were created by words are
circling over this house
formed of calcium, of blood—

this house
in danger of being torn apart
by stones of fear.

If these words can do anything
I say bless this house
with stars

Transfix us with love.

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