"Honeymoon with Big Joy" #21

Featuring Jo Harjo, Matthew Halsall & Friends

Oct 30, 2023

Welcome to “Honeymoon with Big Joy”

Remember, you’re the co-creator of this dive. Do as much or as little as you’d like, when you’d like, how you’d like, with the materials I provide. Just keep gentle faith with yourself.

Set your intention

Take a moment to name the primary intention you have for this month-long deep dive and/or this particular session. Take a quiet moment to center yourself in that intention.

En-JOY the music

Read the poem

I invite you to read this poem twice—aloud, at least once. You may also listen to Joy Harjo’s reading, perhaps with your eyes closed.

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published


PERHAPS THE WORLD ENDS HERE
Joy Harjo

The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live.

The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since 
       creation, and it will go on.

We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teethe at the corners. They scrape 
       their knees under it.

It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human. We make 
       men at it, we make women.

At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.

Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They               
       laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back
       together once again at the table.

This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.

Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror.
       A place to celebrate the terrible victory.

We have given birth on this table, and have prepared our parents for burial here.

At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow. We pray of suffering and remorse.
       We give thanks.

Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, 
       eating of the last sweet bite.


(from The Woman Who Fell From the Sky)

Contemplate/Create

Use any of these questions however you wish—e.g., as openings for meditation or prayer, as prompts for journaling or poetry-writing, as sparks for drawing or painting, as catalysts for change-making . . . You may also ignore my questions altogether to go off in other directions!

Reflect on/write about a table that has been important to your life.
What do you “bring to the table”? What spefic gifts do you offer those with whom you share your life, to sustain them in joy and to comfort them in sorrow?
How do you interpret the meaning of “the end of the world” in this poem?

Want to visit with other Rafters in the Deep Dive?

Here are two options: either leave a comment on this post using the button, or join the chat thread dedicated to this Deep Dive. (Note: if you haven’t created a Substack profile yet, you’ll be asked to do so before you can comment or chat.)

Join us TOMORROW EVENING (Tuesday, October 31) for “Rafter Refuge”!

6:30-8:00PM Central (7:30 ET, 5:30 MT, 4:30 PT)

Let’s close this Deep Dive with a time of voluntary sharing. (It’s fine just to listen!) Come and reflect with other Rafters on “Honeymoon with Big Joy.” Registration is required for this celebration.