The Woman Who Fell from The Sky: Poems in Retro Chapter Chicks

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Jan 10, 2017 Brina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: feminism, native-american, poetry

This year I am participating in Bingo in the group catching up on classics. For my poetry square, I selected The Woman Who Fell From the Sky by Joy Harjo. Joy Harjo is a member of the Muscogee Native American tribe and upon publication of this collection is a professor at the University of Arizona. A poet who finds inspiration in the works of Audre Lorde, Harjo writes of personal issues, Native American folk tales, and social issues that have been plaguing her community for centuries. A collecti This year I am participating in Bingo in the group catching up on classics. For my poetry square, I selected The Woman Who Fell From the Sky by Joy Harjo. Joy Harjo is a member of the Muscogee Native American tribe and upon publication of this collection is a professor at the University of Arizona. A poet who finds inspiration in the works of Audre Lorde, Harjo writes of personal issues, Native American folk tales, and social issues that have been plaguing her community for centuries. A collection of heart felt poems, Harjo is a leading voice in Native American circles.

Harjo finds strength in her family history, which is part of many native tribes. She writes how members of her family found their names, relationships with the land and animals, and touching stories about members of her own family. The centerpiece and title poem of this collection, The Woman Who Fell From the Sky, gets its inspiration from the moving tale of Harjo's grandmother who raised seven children in poverty. Rather than loving her children, each one was an additional burden for her. Even though a gifted storyteller, she did not express love to her children or grandchildren. Harjo has been determined to change this cycle and has welcomed her own grandchildren with unconditional love.

I enjoyed the tales of powwows and viewing of the northern lights and other forays into Native American culture. These demonstrate to me that the culture is thriving despite the efforts of white America to subjugate Native Americans over the years. From her position as a story teller, Harjo urges her people to cut down on alcohol dependence, which has killed too many victims over the years, either directly or indirectly. Her story of two taxi drivers gunned down in acts of senseless violence and of innocent victims killed by gang violence in Oakland were especially moving. Harjo hopes that members of her community take her words to heart and limit their violence and chemical dependencies, even though she realizes that this will take a sustained group effort.

Although I was captivated by the Harjo's story telling abilities, her deep prose has won her many awards including the William Carlos Williams Award and two NEA grants. Whether the stories in these poems are happy or depressing, Harjo's moving prose is deeply personal and pulls the reader in immediately. The first two poems in the collection, Reconciliation: A Prayer and The Creation Story, set the tone for the entire book. Additionally, following each poem, Harjo reveals the story behind the story, allowing for deeper insights into her work and life.

Because of classics Bingo, I am reading various works and genres that I would not have normally exposed myself to. Joy Harjo's poetry falls into both categories, and her prose is extremely moving that I am glad to have read it. A leading Native American voice who writes deeply personal prose, The Woman Who Fell From the Sky rates 5 scintillating stars. ...more

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Feb 23, 2022 Kris (My Novelesque Life) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: america, history, poetry, indigenous, poet

5 STARS

Stunning and powerful collection! I am a Joy Harjo fan just from this collection of poems. Harjo writes with raw honesty and compassionate with ancestral stories. I cannot wait to read Harjo's backlist. ...more

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