Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "No Huli," Joy Harjo presents a brief yet poignant reflection on failure, healing, and resilience. The poem combines a sense of personal and collective acknowledgment of shortcomings with a call to action, using the symbolic act of paddling out in a canoe to signify moving forward and finding strength. Harjo’s use of simple, yet powerful imagery and structure conveys a deep message of perseverance and acceptance.

The poem opens with an admission of imperfection: "We failed a little." This straightforward acknowledgment sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the inevitability of failure as a part of the human experience. It’s a gentle, almost forgiving recognition that everyone faces setbacks.

Harjo then offers a series of actions to address this failure: "Dip the wound in water / Wrap it in a song." These lines suggest a healing process that is both physical and spiritual. Water is a traditional symbol of purification and renewal, while wrapping the wound in a song implies the use of art, culture, and community as a means of healing. The idea of using a song to heal connects deeply with indigenous traditions where music and oral storytelling play crucial roles in cultural preservation and emotional resilience.

"Climb into the canoe / And paddle out from the weeping" transforms the poem into a journey. The canoe, a traditional vessel for many indigenous peoples, symbolizes the means of navigating through life’s challenges. Paddling out from the weeping signifies an active decision to move away from sorrow and towards a new direction.

The stanza "Let the failing fail / Let the stars bear trouble / Let the canoe carry / What we cannot bury" introduces a sense of surrender and acceptance. By allowing failure to be, and letting the stars (often seen as distant and constant observers) bear the trouble, Harjo suggests a release of burdens beyond human control. The canoe carrying what cannot be buried implies that while some wounds and memories may never fully heal or disappear, they can be managed and carried forward in a way that allows for progress and movement.

The inclusion of the Hawaiian counting from one to ten—"Ekahi / Elua / Ekolu / Eha / Elima / Eono / Ehiku / Evalu / Eiwa / Umi"—adds a rhythmic, almost meditative element to the poem. This sequence grounds the poem in a specific cultural context, perhaps suggesting a cycle or process of healing that is gradual and continuous. Counting can be seen as a way to measure progress, a reminder that each step, no matter how small, is part of the journey towards recovery and growth.

Overall, "No Huli" is a meditation on facing and overcoming failure. Harjo’s use of water and the canoe as symbols of cleansing and journeying emphasizes resilience and the importance of forward movement. The poem acknowledges pain and imperfection but also champions the power of community, culture, and steady progress in overcoming these obstacles. Through its simple yet profound language and imagery, "No Huli" encourages readers to accept their failures, heal through cultural and communal practices, and continue paddling forward despite the weight of what cannot be buried.

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