Joy Harjo Is Named U.S. Poet Laureate

Although I had of course heard of Joy Harjo, I had never read any of her poems before I clicked on the link in this article and read "Fall Song." Now I am eager to read more of her poetry because I see that she writes the kind of poetry that I enjoy reading. Her poetry, based on "Fall Song," is easily accessible/comprehensible, meaningful, and rich in imagery without putting on airs. Congratulations on being named Poet Laureate of the United States, Ms. Harjo. I look forward to reading more of your work.

Congratulations to Joy Harjo! Truly one of America’s great poets, whose passionate, gorgeously crafted poetry invoking her personal and ancestral struggles, wisdom and spirit of survival deserves such an honor. She is a hero and a role model for me and many others. We need her poetry in more than ever! Can’t wait to read American Sunrise when it comes out.

Joy Harjo is also the 2019 Jackson Poetry Prize Winner. Her work is powerful and timely. She is a guardian of poetry, words, and the Earth. So happy she is being honored and recognized for her tremendous contributions.

Congratulations to Joy Harjo, one of America's greatest poets at a time when we need her talents the most. Later, when I was a teacher my students always responded with excitement and enthusiasm to her work. She is a national treasure.

The honest and enduring reflection of humanity is the arts. They are images, visual, aural and the written word that your brain creates for you alone. The ability to gift those impressions and interpretations come from the artists. Harjo and I are the same age and I have read her in bits for some time now. My favorite is 1994's "Perhaps the World Ends Here". Google it and you may discover that your kitchen table is an altar to life. How I would enjoy sitting at that life's table with Joy Harjo!

“We see you, see ourselves and know that we must take the utmost care and kindness in all things.” I carry this bit of Harjo’s verse with me on a card in my wallet.

Great to see Joy Harjo so honored. Love her words and her music. Often share them with listeners on my community radio show.

Wonderful to see and hear of a Native American woman being honored. Ms. Harjo's quote from the article that "Poetry is a way to bridge, to make bridges from one country to another, one person to another, one time to another" definitely spoke to me. We certainly need more bridges these days and less tearing down. Perfect metaphor.

Now, imagine Trump attempting to honor, much less understand, this woman. But, enough with politics. Congratulations from your former home, Ms. Harjo.

When my friend Kevin died after a long illness his rickety old mahagony kitchen table ended up in the home of one of his friends. I needed to have it back it during my grief, it meant so much to me and to my daughter. The friend returned it, having honored Kevin with scenes fromthe Chesapeake Bay, includingvKevin fishing on the Sassafras and his golden retriever, Woody, chasing a ball. I could think of nothing to give the painter back except Joy Harjo's poem, Perhaps the World Ends Here, which begins: The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live. So pleased she has been honored.

about time!

Well deserved! Congratulations to Ms. Harjo, and thanks for bringing beauty and thoughtfulness to us for so long. Thanks too to those making this appointment: May further spreading the beauty and thoughtfulness of Ms. Harjo enrich us all.

Shame on you for not presenting one word of Harjo's poetry.

Congratulations to Joy Harjo on her brilliant works and her appointment as U.S. Poet Laureate. What a celebratory occasion! I began reading her work decades ago and had the privilege of teaching her poetry at university in Paris in the nineties. My cultural history course was about myths of the Americas, which focused on deconstructing a white, male, capitalist USA (the dominant power structure granted, but not the identity of "America"), while uplifting many works of independent nations and communities in all the americas. This included a foundational deconstruction of "Indian", and a fresh, new look at the many cultural works of music, painting, print journalism, poetry, film, exhibitions, dance, prose, sculpture, weaving, and academic work of contemporary Native artists and intellectuals in the U.S. Ms. Harjo's poetry was an important part of the course and opened the eyes and ears of many students. Their amazement and joy at learning of new worlds! I am thrilled with this appointment that will make Ms. Harjo's many works better known to people in the U.S. and around the world.

On a poem "crawl" this year through .org websites, my middle school students - many of whom are Indigenous - consistently chose Ms. Harjo's poetry to explore. They did not know initially that she is Indigenous, but her words clearly spoke to them. I look forward to Ms. Harjo's tenure, and want her to know that her voice matters to people far away, yet so close to her own experience.

I have been reading Harjo's poetry for years. If you want your heart healed, read "Reconciliation: A Prayer." I met her at a workshop in the 90s and she is as powerful and profound as her poetry. I am thrilled she has received this honor. We need her!

I'm so pleased for Joy and everyone over her appointment. Fully a quarter century ago, I invited her to read at Babson College in Massachusetts. People loved her poems and her reading. And they went wild when late in the hour she pulled out her saxophone and did some great riffs. So, she brings much music, poetic and otherwise, to her new job. Congratulations, Joy!

Congratulations to Joy and her brilliant work. A great musician also.

Ms. Harjo, congratulations. You could not have become poet laureate at a more crucial time. Bring our communities together through poetry! I look forward to reading your work.

This is a well deserved appointment. The Harjo family has many accomplished members in several fields. There are renewed attempts to abrogate tribal rights, revisit sovereignty at the level of the Supreme Court no less, and promulgate the idea that they are " mostly all gone". Joy Harjo's voice and spirit are graceful and powerful. So glad that she will have a big stage for a bit. And I loved her wisdom and grace regarding the past. So many people could use this example.

First to comment...o, dear, the pressure. Our Poet Laureate is called Joy -- yes, I like that aspect alone -- and her vision sounds really just so right on, right now. Her new collection titled American Sunrise is due in August. Can't help myself, seeing symbolism -- so not American Carnage and all that.

I am thrilled to see Joy Harjo get the recognition and honor she deserves! She is an incredible writer, artist, and activist. Congratulations, Ms. Harjo!!

The University of New Mexico has educated some truly extraordinary people and it is gratifying to see Ms. Harjo and hopefully her alma mater get the recognition they richly deserve.