‘This Morning I Pray for My Enemies’ by Joy Harjo is a powerful poem that reveals the razor-thin line that separates who we consider a friend or enemy.
This poem is a wonderful example of Joy Harjo's poetry and the themes it often encompasses. Here the poet wrestles with a question of conflict and the dangerous circumstances through which an enemy can be transformed into a friend. That tension is beautifully illustrated by her use of both imagery and figurative language.
And whom do I call my enemy?
An enemy must be worthy of engagement.
I turn in the direction of the sun and keep walking.
It’s the heart that asks the question, not my furious mind.