I am fortunate to have a fabulous independent bookstore within 2 miles of my house. (Actually, there are TWO within that geographic area, but I slightly prefer one over the other. An embarrassment of riches for sure . . . )
Anyway.
Let’s just say I spread my book (and book-adjacent) budget supporting these bookstores. (My favorite even has a coffee shop that is NOT a Starbucks, so bonus).
Earlier this week, I was in the shop, just browsing . . . when I spied a brand new copy of this book on the poetry table. This tiny little volume packs a big punch! (It’s slim enough that you could read it in one go, but – at least for me – it’s worth stretching out for several reading sessions.) Curated by (and brainchild of) poets Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith, The People’s Project is a collection of poems, essays, and art . . . for looking forward.
In blurbs, the book is described like this . . . “Inspired by Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith’s conversations in the wake of the 2024 election, this is a collection of poems, essays, and visual art on what we—individually and collectively—can hold onto, and what we can work towards.”
I love the backstory, the content, the very notion of this collection. So today, I’m sharing one of the opening poems with you . . .
Catching the Light
by Joy HarjoYou are a story fed by the generations.
You carry songs, grief, triumph, thankfulness, and joy. Feel their power as they ascend within you. As you walk, run swiftly, even fly, to infinite possibilities.
Let go of that which burdens you. Let go of any acts of unkindness or brutality.
Let go of that which has burdened your family, your community, your nation. Let go of that which has disturbed your soul. Let go one breath into another. Pray thankfulness for this Earth we are — Pray thankfulness for this becoming we are —
For this sunlight touching skin we are — For this cooling by the water we are —
Listen now as Earth sheds her skin. Listen as the generations move one against the other to make power. We are bringing in a new story. We will be accompanied by ancient and new songs and will celebrate together.
Today’s poem comes from The People’s Project, curated by Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith, published by Washington Square Press, 2025. You can learn more about the poet, Joy Harjo, and read more of her poems here
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You can find A Gathering of Poetry every month . . . on the third Thursday.
Share some.
Read some.
Gather up some poetry!
(Bonny is hosting a special link-up for A Gathering of Poetry. (Be sure to check it out.)
What a perfect poem for these times!
We have a new indie bookstore, I’ll have to stop in and see if she has a copy of this….or order it if she doesn’t.
I like the idea of carrying the things that make us feel whole and true and letting go of the things that feel burdensome and heavy. Thank you for this one.
This is so beautiful, Kym. Hope, release, and promise… ahhh! Thank goodness for poets! Thank you so much for sharing both the poem and the book!
What a great book and what a great poem! “Let go of that which has burdened your family, your community, your nation” is a powerful and much-needed statement and I thank you for sharing.
Thank you for recommending this book. My LBS has 7 copies on hand so I’ll drop in this week and pick one up. Sadly, they do not have a coffee shop attached (one is nearby) but, even better (for me), their neighbor is a gelato shop!
PS. I bought Joy Harjo’s Catching the Light (memoir/poetry) last year. Her poetry connects me to the land and the indigenous people she represents. I enjoyed reading about her own story, too.