Praise the Rain

Praise the rain, the seagull dive

The curl of plant, the raven talk­—

Praise the hurt, the house slack

The stand of trees, the dignity­—

Praise the dark, the moon cradle

The sky fall, the bear sleep­—

Praise the mist, the warrior name

The earth eclipse, the fired leap—­

Praise the backwards, upward sky

The baby cry, the spirit food-—

Praise canoe, the fish rush

The hole for frog, the upside-down­—

Praise the day, the cloud cup

The mind flat, forget it all—

 

Praise crazy. Praise sad.

Praise the path on which we're led.

Praise the roads on earth and water.

Praise the eater and the eaten.

Praise beginnings; praise the end.

Praise the song and praise the singer.

 

Praise the rain; it brings more rain.

Praise the rain; it brings more rain.

A thank-you letter to everything.

What are you grateful for? Make a list and then turn it into your own praise poem.

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Bibliographical info

Joy Harjo, “Praise the Rain” from Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings Copyright © 2015 by Joy Harjo. Reprinted by permission of publisher.

Source: Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings (W.W. Norton & Company)

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