Joy Harjo Is Ready for You, Now

 

Next I’d like to meet the Dalai Lama

And Bishop Desmond Tutu

They’re working together these days,

You know

I don’t recall who is the Secretary-General

Of the U.N. just now

I still have U Thant and Boutros Boutros-Ghali

On the brain

But whoever she is

I think it’s a she

I’d be delighted if she’d let me in

For a hello and a salute

I’d like to meet my favorite writers

Everywhere,

If they’d behave

The Poet Laureate, perhaps

If she’d have time

Of course, she wouldn’t

But if we could pirate a few minutes

Then I’d to meet some other laureates

In states and other nations

The Presbyterian church

Made me one for a little while

It was informal, really

Just a bunch of pastors

Who thought it a good idea,

After I gave a reading,

Though if I met the Presbyterians now

I’d have to scold them

And the other Protestants

For what they did to me

By proxy, many others, too

 

So I should say I’d like to meet Jesus

The God of Abraham and Sarah

As well

The God of Muhammad

But these are here

A bodily encounter

Would be fine and fearful

But not necessary

If it were, we’d have them that way

All the time

 

No, I’m looking for people

Mortal people

I haven’t mentioned scientists

I’d have to ask my sister for

Recommendations

Since Stephen Gould,

Carl Sagan,

Marie Curie are no longer

Around

People who living

And through vision’s mighty efforts

Are trying to improve the world,

The only way to save it

Save us in it

Without invitation but a mandate

To survive ourselves

In bestowing riches

To the future

And today

 

Did I mention I’d like to meet Dolly Parton?

What she does for children

And for books,

My!

 

C L Couch

 

 

photo by Rabie Madaci on Unsplash

library, Annaba, Algeria