A Map to the Next World by Joy Harjo

A MAP TO THE NEXT WORLD ' BY JOY HARJO

Joy Harjo 's poems are filled with so many images and passages that let 's one ponder and think about the complexity of the work . She is able to balance contemporary American life and ancient tribal truths magnificently . She is able to brilliantly attach the reader to the character . In A Map to the Next World , one knows that the poem is most probably addressed to a younger member of her family , a young daughter , or a grand daughter , in fact . But one feels

that Harjo is personally talking to you - we are put in the shoes of a member of a kin

In this poem (A Map to the Next World ) one can see how the idea of survival is central to the individual and the Native Americans as a people . And the way she addresses this survival is by emphasizing the importance of memory (a very central theme in Native American culture ) - how one should not forget one 's heritage . And she writes : Keep track of the errors of our forgetfulness a fog steals our children while we sleep . She asks her readers to remember their heritage and find solace in it - to Remember the hole of our shame marking the act of abandoning our tribal grounds . The poem promotes an awareness and understanding of the strength of memory - a latch on the value on the powers of memory that all Native American cultures have . Moreover , one can see how survival and continuance are very strong bases for this poem . According to Harjo , in this world , one can easily forget about one 's heritage . What I am telling you is real , and is printed in a warning on the map . Our forgetfulness stalks us , walks the earth behind us , leaving a trail of diapers , needles and wasted blood ' Harjo emphasizes the function of courage in the entire scheme of things , for keeping one 's spirit honest and vital . There seems to be a sense of loss of land , love , innocence and heritage that escalates within . She discusses the importance of courage by alluding to many Native American spiritual tremors - The place of entry is the sea of your mother 's blood , your father 's small death as he longs to know himself in another ' There has to be an understanding of the past for one to be able to move forward . This discipline is central to many Native American cultures . In this case , Harjo alludes to her mother 's heritage (her blood , and how her father was lost in a sea of identities There is no exit , she says . One must have courage to survive . One must have courage to go on . One must have courage to be as tenacious as to venture out alone - to be able to trust oneself . The map can be interpreted through the wall of the intestine - a spiral on the road of knowledge

Coursing through survival and courage , Harjo moves in...