Poet Spotlight: June Jordan

June Jordan (1936-2002) was a dynamic poet, activist, journalist, essayist, and teacher whose work left a profound impact on American poetry and political discourse. Born to West Indian immigrant parents in Harlem and raised in Brooklyn, June began writing poetry at the age of seven. Her work consistently reflected her commitment to civil rights, feminism, antiwar efforts, and LGBTQ+ rights, making her a powerful voice for social justice.

Chart Indicators for a Successful Writing Legacy: Natal Chart (unknown birth time)

June’s natal chart is an amazing testament to the layered and nuanced nature of astrology – while we don’t have an exact birth time to calculate her Rising Sign or house divisions – we can still see her essence shine through the zodiac signs that influenced the expression of each of her planets.

Emphasized Water Element

A highly concentrated chart, with an emphasis of planets located in water signs, Cancer and Pisces, June’s chart shows a woman with emotional depth, keen intuition, sensitivity to the suffering of others, and a desire to nurture and protect those unable to protect themselves. Her poem “These Poems” expresses her deep desire to connect with her readers, reflecting her awareness of the interconnectedness of all humanity. The phrase “whoever you are, whoever I may become” illustrates a unified soul yearning to fully experience and understand itself through this shared connection.

With the South Node in Cancer, it would have come naturally for June to express herself through deeply personal and emotional forms of writing – like poetry. The desire to seek emotional security, and to create a sense of belonging both for herself and others, would have been strong. In her poem “March Song” June lies awake in bed on a winter’s night, unable to sleep as she wrestles with concern for those suffering in the Middle East from the ongoing war in Beirut.

Jupiter in Rulership

Jupiter in Sagittarius, its sign of rulership, shows a life-long student, philosopher and teacher, and seeker of truth and justice. Throughout her career, June taught at several prestigious institutions, including Yale University and the University of California, Berkeley, where she founded the influential program Poetry for the People. Her activism extended to her teaching, where she used her platform to inspire and empower students, contributing significantly to various social justice causes.

Lot of Fortune in Gemini

With her Lot of Fortune in Gemini, June was destined to fulfill her life’s work through her writing and strong communication skills. Gemini – the sign of communication and mental agility – creates an individual with a thirst for knowledge, a need for mental stimulation and self-expression, and a lover of words. Her public speaking skills were no accident, and her ability to master dual meanings in her poetry were Mercurial gifts that amplified her impact, allowing her to convey complex social issues with both clarity and emotional depth, inspiring and mobilizing audiences to engage in activism and social change.

Author of more than twenty-five major works, including poetry, fiction, essays, and children’s books, June’s writing extended beyond traditional forms, encompassing opera librettos, plays, and journalism. Her powerful voice and fearless advocacy earned her numerous awards, including a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship and the PEN Center USA West Freedom to Write Award. June’s legacy continues to inspire and challenge readers to engage with the world through a lens of justice and liberation. (https://www.junejordan.net/bio.html).

These Poems

BY JUNE JORDAN

These poems
they are things that I do
in the dark
reaching for you
whoever you are
and
are you ready?

These words
they are stones in the water
running away

These skeletal lines
they are desperate arms for my longing and love.

I am a stranger
learning to worship the strangers
around me

whoever you are
whoever I may become.

About the Poem

In her poem “These Poems,” Jordan confronts the dual nature of poetry as both a personal expression and a tool for political resistance. The poem emphasizes the power of words to challenge oppression and ignite change, while also serving as a means of survival and connection for those who are often silenced. Through “These Poems,” Jordan reminds us that poetry is not just an art form but a vital act of defiance and solidarity.

“These Poems” from The Essential June Jordan, 2021 by June Jordan, used by permission of Copper Canyon Press, www.coppercanyonpress.org.

March Song

BY JUNE JORDAN

Snow knuckles melted to pearls
of black water
Face like a landslide of stars
in the dark.

Icicles plunging to waken the grave
Tree berries purple and bitten
by birds

Curves of horizon squeeze
on the sky
Telephone wires glide
down the moon

Outlines of space later
pieces of land
with names like Beirut
where the game is to tear
up the whole Hemisphere
into pieces of children
and patches of sand

Asleep on a pillow the two
of us whisper we know
about apples and hot bread
and honey

Hunting for safety
and eager for peace
We follow the leaders who chew up
the land
with names like Beirut
where the game is to tear
up the whole Hemisphere
into pieces of children
and patches of sand

I’m standing in place
I’m holding your hand
and pieces of children
on patches of sand

About the Poem

“March Song” was written in 1985, during the Lebanese Civil War, and was dedicated to the children of Atlanta and Lebanon. The poem captures a spirit of resistance and renewal. In this powerful piece, June reflects on the struggles and resilience of individuals facing adversity and relies on vivid imagery and rhythmic language to evoke a sense of collective strength and hope. Through its dynamic verses, “March Song” celebrates the enduring human spirit and the ongoing fight for justice and change, making it a poignant anthem for empowerment and social progress.

“March Song” from The Collected Poems of June Jordan, 2005 by June Jordan, used by permission of Copper Canyon Press, www.coppercanyonpress.org.