Poet Warrior

by Joy Harjo

There is no one way to God, no one correct spiritual path, no one way to write poetry.

Some of the most important stories are not in words, not in poems or other forms of speaking, but in objects of use and beauty.

Ritual is how we make a community, how we open the door for respect for the source of life. Ritual nourishes our young men and women with the resources they need for spiritual growth for development. Even a poem can be a ritual, as can a song, or a book.

If I take away all the mothering expectations implied in the word “mother,” then my mother becomes a human being.

For children to suffer is nearly unbearable because no matter how you tell the story, it will never make sense. There is no explanation that will ameliorate the suffering of either the children or their parents. There is only kindness and being present in your prayerful being.

no matter who we are on this earth, we embody everything, we are related to all life, all beings.