Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

June Jordan's "Poem for Nana" is a contemplative and poignant piece that delves into themes of environmental destruction, cultural erasure, and the search for identity amidst loss. The poem opens with a stark question that sets the tone for the rest of the piece: "What will we do / when there is nobody left / to kill?" This inquiry immediately confronts the reader with the futility and cyclical nature of violence and destruction.

The imagery of "40,000 gallons of oil gushing into / the ocean" juxtaposed with the speaker sitting "on top this mountainside above / the Pacific" introduces a tension between the beauty of nature and the rampant environmental degradation caused by human activities. The California poppies, vivid and orange, symbolize both the resilience and fragility of the natural world.

Jordan's poem moves into a meditation on the absence of Native Americans, or "Indians," in the landscape: "where’s the Indians? / all this filmstrip territory / all this cowboy sagaland: / not / a single Indian / in sight." This lament underscores the cultural genocide and displacement of indigenous peoples, who once lived in harmony with the land. The speaker's search for "savagery" signifies a longing for an authentic connection to the earth and its original stewards.

The poem pays homage to specific Native American figures, evoking their names with reverence: "Crow Nose / Little Bear / Slim Girl / Black Elk / Fox Belly." These names conjure a sense of lost heritage and wisdom, highlighting the dissonance between the past and the present. The speaker questions how to follow the example of these ancestors who lived in "the people of the sacred trees / and rivers precious to the stars that told / old stories to the night."

A powerful section of the poem recalls the tragic fate of Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, a Native American activist who was murdered: "They found her facedown / where she would be dancing / to the shadow drums that humble / birds to silent / flight." Her death, marked by brutality and dismemberment, symbolizes the broader violence inflicted upon Native communities. This personal tragedy is linked to a collective history of broken treaties and systemic oppression.

Jordan's poem then reflects on the importance of memory and the struggle to retain cultural identity: "Memory should agitate / the pierced bone crack / of one in pushed-back horror / pushed-back pain." The poet urges a reconnection with the legends and spirits of the past, suggesting that the survival of cultural memory is an act of resistance and renewal.

The poem's concluding lines offer a glimmer of hope and defiance: "God knows I hope he’s right." This line refers to a statement made by the South African Minister of Justice about the global trend towards the breakdown of established political and cultural orders. The speaker's hope lies in the possibility of transformative change, a breaking down of oppressive systems to make way for a more just and equitable world.

In "Poem for Nana," June Jordan masterfully intertwines personal grief with broader socio-political commentary, creating a work that is both a lament and a call to action. Through vivid imagery and historical references, Jordan confronts the reader with the urgent need to address environmental and cultural destruction while honoring the resilience and wisdom of those who have come before.

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