Poem, art therapy prompt, and drawing

Sometimes, it is helpful to offer & share a brief reading at the beginning of a nature informed art therapy session. Joy Harjo is an internationally recognized poet and performer from the Muscogee (Creek) nation. 

The Eagle

by Joy Harjo.

To pray you open your whole self
To sky to earth to sun to moon
To one whole voice that is you.
And know there is more
That you can’t see, can’t hear;
Can’t know except in moments
Steadily growing, and in languages
That aren’t always sound but other
Circles of motion.
Like eagle that Sunday morning
Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky
In wind, swept our hearts clean
With sacred wings.
We see you, see ourselves and know
That we must take the utmost care
And kindness in all things.
Breathe in, knowing we are made of
All this, and breathe, knowing
We are truly blessed because we
Were born, and die soon within a
True circle of motion,
Like eagle rounding out the morning
Inside us.
We pray that it will be done
In beauty.

In beauty.

Poem from: https://www.joyharjo.com/

     Or listen and watch J.H. reading her poem in this short video:
     https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/eagle-poem

Harjo's poem promotes self-connection through observing nature: the poem aligns with nature informed art therapy. Nature brings an awareness of extending one's identity to other life forms, including non-verbal experiences. The watercolor seen above was made after reading this poem. While this drawing might look like a scribble, it includes five bird flight patterns arranged across the page and randomly colored. Art therapists often complete new prompts themselves before working with a client: this helps the art therapist to be sensitively informed. 

The art therapy prompt is,"after reading this poem, select a line or idea that stands out for you. Using the art and natural materials provided, respond in your own way, and without judgment." Clients are usually offered opportunities to share their visual responses before a session ends. Some clients talk openly about what they've made; however, simply making any response is also welcome.  

Art therapists are professionally trained to understand mental health diagnosis within stages of human development. They are professionally licensed (like LCPCs) to work in both talk and art therapy. Nature informed art therapists specialize in supporting non-verbal forms of response through creative art processes that integrate the natural world in many ways. Careful planning with clearly stated goals are always a part of each session. An alliance of safety, trust, respect, and confidentiality is upheld as stated in ethical codes of conduct outlined by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).