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Joy Harjo

Joy Harjo
Photo by Karen Kuehn

Joy Harjo

Born: 9 May 1951

Joy Harjo was appointed the United States poet laureate in June 2019, and is the first Native American poet laureate in the history of the position. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on May 9, 1951, Harjo is a member of the Muscogee/Creek Nation and belongs to Oce Vpofv. She is the author of numerous books of poetry, including Weaving Sundown in a Scarlet Light: 50 Poems for 50 Years (W. W. Norton, 2022); An American Sunrise (W. W. Norton, 2019); The Woman Who Fell From the Sky (W. W. Norton, 1994), and In Mad Love and War (Wesleyan University Press, 1990). (Source)

Poems by Joy Harjo

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Eagle Poem by Joy Harjo

March 30, 2026
“We see you, see ourselves and know / That we must take the utmost care / And kindness in all things.” — Joy Harjo
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For Keeps by Joy Harjo

October 4, 2025
“That night after eating, singing, and dancing / We lay together under the stars. / We know ourselves to be part of mystery.” — Joy Harjo
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Praise the Rain by Joy Harjo

December 10, 2022
"Praise the rain; it brings more rain." — Joy Harjo
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Eagle Poem by Joy Harjo

April 17, 2021
"Breathe in, knowing we are made of / All this, and breathe, knowing / We are truly blessed..." — Joy Harjo