In "Bird," Joy Harjo creates an intricate, layered meditation on the nature of music, creativity, and the search for transcendence. The poem revolves around the figure of Bird, likely a reference to jazz legend Charlie "Bird" Parker, whose life and music become a lens through which Harjo explores deeper existential themes. The poem opens with a vivid image: "The moon plays horn, leaning on the shoulder of the dark universe to the infinite glitter of chance." This personification of the moon as a musician sets a cosmic stage, suggesting that music and creativity are universal forces, transcending the earthly realm. The "infinite glitter of chance" speaks to the randomness and unpredictability of life, as well as the improvisational nature of jazz, where each performance is a unique creation. Harjo then recounts a poignant observation: "Tonight I watched Bird kill himself, larger than real life." This reference to Bird's self-destructive tendencies encapsulates the tragic brilliance of Parker's life. His talent was immense, yet his struggles with addiction and mental health ultimately led to his demise. Harjo's theory that "some of us are born with nerve endings longer than our bodies" captures the idea of sensitivity and vulnerability extending beyond physical boundaries, suggesting that artists like Parker experience the world in a heightened, more intense manner. The poem delves into the transformative power of music: "Those nights he played did he climb the stairway of forgetfulness, with his horn, a woman who is always beautiful to strangers?" Harjo likens Bird's music to an enchanting, ephemeral lover, one that allows him to transcend his personal pain, even if only temporarily. This metaphor highlights the allure and escapism that music provides, a temporary reprieve from the harsh realities of life. Harjo touches on the limitations of language: "All poets understand the final uselessness of words. We are chords to other chords to other chords, if we're lucky, to melody." Here, she acknowledges that poetry, like music, strives to connect and create harmony, but ultimately falls short of capturing the full depth of human experience. The moon, in its brightness, surpasses the power of words, music, and memory, symbolizing an unreachable ideal of pure expression. The poem continues to explore the relationship between music and survival: "To survive is sometimes a leap into madness. The fingers of saints are still hot from miracles, but can they save themselves?" This line juxtaposes the miraculous with the mundane struggles of existence, suggesting that even those who create extraordinary beauty are not immune to their own human frailties. The question of self-salvation remains open and poignant. Harjo seeks a dimension where Bird can find peace: "Where is the dimension a god lives who will take Bird home? I want to see it." This plea for understanding and solace transcends the personal and becomes a universal quest for meaning and redemption. The poem's closing lines, addressed to the Catalinas and Rincons (mountain ranges), expand this yearning to the natural world, asking for a sign or a connection: "Let me hear you by any means: by horn, by fever, by night, even by some poem / attempting flight home." Through "Bird," Joy Harjo intertwines the legacy of Charlie Parker with her own reflections on creativity, survival, and the search for transcendence. The poem's rich imagery and musical references create a tapestry that honors the complexity of artistic expression while acknowledging the deep, often painful human experiences that fuel it. Harjo's meditation on music and poetry as both a means of escape and a source of profound connection resonates deeply, capturing the eternal struggle to find meaning and beauty in a world fraught with imperfection. |