Literary Devices In Joy Harjo's Eagle Poem

In the poem by Joy Harjo called “Eagle Poem,” she talks about prayer and life and how they revolve around Mother Nature. She says that while being one with nature we feel we are in a place we haven’t imagined. There are plenty of things we would love to do in that calming place. “Eagle Poem” sticks to one extended metaphor throughout the entire poem. Alongside the use of the extended metaphor, Harjo uses other literary devices such as similes, repetition, and imagery to convey her message. The main idea Joy Harjo wants to get across to her audience is to set aside daily cares and assumptions to allow the mind to become receptive and fully responsive. Harjo uses the literary element of a metaphor in this poem. The first verse of the poem says, “To pray you open your whole self” which gives the reader the idea that this poem is similar to a prayer. In this free verse style Harjo talks about the circle of life. Lines 18-21 in the poem are one clear example of how she represents the circle of life. The idea of the circle of life is realized when the poem describes “Circles of motion.” She incorporates a metaphor into this poem and the theme of the circle of life. In the middle of the poem, Harjo talks about an eagle she saw on a Sunday morning. She talks about how the eagle flies in circles in the sky over Salt River. “In …show more content…
For example, in lines 1-8 she builds the image of “circles of motion” which is also repeated in line 21. Another instance of imagery would be when the eagle makes a circle high in the blue sky, line 11, which evokes the picture of continuity and perfection in the mind of the reader. She also uses subtly in diction to give the Eagle a more human like appearance by saying, “eagle” instead of “the eagle.” Lastly at the end of the poem she repeats the phrase “In beauty” to emphasize the imagery she uses and conclusion of the perfection represented by the