An Evening with Joy Harjo

Magic City Books is thrilled to welcome back Joy Harjo for a special event to celebrate the publication of her new book, Washing My Mother's Body, on Tuesday, May 20 at 7:00 pm.

This ticketed event will take place at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, 2952 S. Peoria Avenue. All tickets include one (1) copy of Washing My Mother's Body ($17.99 value) and one (1) general admission seat at the event on May 20.

All books will be available for pickup at the event.

All tickets include a copy of the book. There is a limit of four tickets per transaction. Please provide the full name and email address of each ticket holder so that all event notifications and information can be sent to all attendees.

If you have a ticket and are unable to attend the event, you will be able to pick up your book at Magic City Books during normal business hours. The last day for ticket holders to pick up Washing My Mother's Body by Joy Harjo is Friday, June 20, 2025. We will make an effort to have signed books available for pick up but can not guarantee a signed copy.

About Washing My Mother's Body

A beautifully illustrated edition of Poet Laureate Joy Harjo’s poem “Washing My Mother’s Body,” which offers a way through grief when the loss appears unbearable.

As I wash my mother’s face, I tell her
how beautiful she is, how brave, how her beauty and bravery
live on in her grandchildren. Her face is relaxed, peaceful.
Her earth memory body has not left yet,
but when I see her the next day, embalmed and in the casket
in the funeral home, it will be gone.
Where does it go?

Through lyrical prose and evocative watercolor illustrations by award-winning Muscogee artist Dana Tiger, Washing My Mother’s Body explores the complexity of a daughter’s grief as she reflects on the joys and sorrows of her mother’s life. She lays her mother to rest in the landscape of her memory, honoring the hands that raised her, the body that protected her, and the legs that carried her mother through adversity.

Moving, comforting, and deeply emotional, Washing My Mother’s Body is a tender look at mother-daughter relationships, the complexity of grieving the loss of a parent, and the enduring love of those left behind.

Joy Harjo is a member of the Mvskoke Nation. She is the author of several poetry collections, memoirs, children’s books, and music albums. She is the recipient of many awards for her creative work, including a National Humanities Medal. She lives in Oklahoma.

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