Joy Harjo is a Native American poet, advocate, musician and educator whose creative contributions led to her becoming the 23rd United States Poet Laureate. The story below explores Harjo’s courageous liberation from her abusers and her resilient pursuit of better.
In 1970, Joy Harjo found herself in an abusive marriage, pregnant with her first child and struggling as a pre-med student at the University of New Mexico - all at the age of 19. To that point, Harjo's life had been a whirlwind of challenges.
During her youth she’d experienced physical and emotional abuse by the men meant to show her love and care. As a young adult, she continued to bear the burden of abuse, this time at the hands of her husband.
The weight of Harjo’s circumstances were not lost on her though. Eventually, it was the heaviness of it all that pushed her into the gentle hands of art. First, painting, then theater and eventually poetry. As she explored each, she began to find herself and the legacy of her ancestors – the resilient ones who’d lived and loved fiercely on the land before it’d been colonized.
Harjo’s understanding of herself and her people changed the young artist. Most notably, her relationship with the past.
Though she knew trauma intimately, Harjo no longer sought to be compelled by it. She had learned the promised sweetness of connection and belonging were no replacement for self-love and the joy found in embracing courage’s call.
It was this understanding that led Harjo to bravely leave her abusive relationships and resume her collegiate pursuit after a three year hiatus. During the next half decade, she would go on to complete her Bachelor of Arts, Master of Fine Arts and eventually her first book of poetry. More miraculous is that Harjo did all of this as a single mother of two.
It would be another 40 years before she would become the first Native American to be named United States Poet Laureate but, it is clear that Harjo’s brave steps away from her abusers and toward what could be put her on the path of liberation. A path that is open to us all if we’re bold enough to journey it.
I found courage.
Liberation can be found at the intersection of love and courage.
Health is hard.
Our healthiest self is often on the other side of a hard choice.
Click here to grab one and keep the creative juices flowing.
On another note, after 2 weeks, I’ve decided to turn commenting back on (which means likes will come on as well). I’ve enjoyed the clarity not worrying about likes has brought and believe my reflections will prove helpful as I navigate this space with them back on. I’ve also recognized that the comment section is a unique and convenient way for us to connect with one another. My Substack Auntie made the importance of this abundantly clear during our video call last Sunday 😳🤣
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Joy Harjo is one of my poet heroines. I can relate to her on many levels and her poetry is stunning! Thank you for sharing this piece. And I’m glad you turned on comments again! Prompted me to do something I’ve been wanting to for a while x
Jamal, this is terrific. Love the mug. Had to buy one, of course. So proud to be your Substack Auntie from the beginning and always. You encourage me too - it always goes both ways. Thanks for the lovely call-out. Much love, xoxo ❤️💕🥰🫶