Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1233255
APRIL/MAY 2020 | maconmagazine.com 9 FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN UNITED STATES POET LAUREATE Joy Harjo read this poem to a most energetic, engaged group of mostly students at Middle Georgia State University this February. I heard it then, and find even deeper meaning now. Once the World Was Perfect BY JOY HARJO Once the world was perfect, and we were happy in that world. Then we took it for granted. Discontent began a small rumble in the earthly mind. Then Doubt pushed through with its spiked head. And once Doubt ruptured the web, All manner of demon thoughts Jumped through— We destroyed the world we had been given For inspiration, for life— Each stone of jealousy, each stone Of fear, greed, envy, and hatred, put out the light. No one was without a stone in his or her hand. There we were, Right back where we had started. We were bumping into each other In the dark. And now we had no place to live, since we didn't know How to live with each other. Then one of the stumbling ones took pity on another And shared a blanket. A spark of kindness made a light. The light made an opening in the darkness. Everyone worked together to make a ladder. A Wind Clan person climbed out first into the next world, And then the other clans, the children of those clans, their children, And their children, all the way through time— To now, into this morning light to you. In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, as a locally owned business, Macon Magazine is steady. We remain committed to sharing our network of advertisers, the great stories and supporting this entire community. For more than 34 years, Macon Magazine remains true to our mission to enhance our community with the best journalism, stories and photography, ultimately engaging our audience to fall more in love with Macon. We aim to cultivate and produce a publication that makes us more intentionally connected to this community. We will promote the positive. We will give readers something to do for good, to know for good, to find connection in the face of separateness and fear, together. We will share the ways that we can, even now, build each other up. Social distance will not keep us distant. I hope you'll feel it in these pages. We are here, more than ever, to tell the stories of our resilient community. We will share and support local business with our audience via the magazine, on social media and in person, with an elbow bump. I think hope matters because it gives us vision for what we can become. And, I see you — through your grief, anxiety and worry. Together, through listening, calling and checking in on one another, we are helping each other during this time. Take care of yourself and your neighbor, with grace. Be the beloved community, my people. With love, appreciation and a peace sign, Susannah and all of us at Macon Magazine Me, mesmorized by the energy of Joy Harjo when she spoke with a most palpable sense of connection to the students at MGSU. Our at-home selfie during quarantine.