Joy Harjo

Put down that bag of potato chips, that white bread, that bottle of pop.

Turn off that cellphone, computer, and remote control.

Open the door, then close it behind you.

Take a breath offered by friendly winds.

They travel the earth gathering essences of plants to clean.

Give it back with gratitude.

If you sing it will give your spirit lift to fly to the stars’ ears and back.

Acknowledge this earth who has cared for you since you were a dream planting itself precisely within your parents’ desire.

Let your moccasin feet take you to the encampment of the guardians who have known you before time, who will be there after time.

They sit before the fire that has been there without time.

Let the earth stabilize your postcolonial insecure jitters.

Be respectful of the small insects, birds and animal people who accompany you. Ask their forgiveness for the harm we humans have brought down upon them. […]

HARJO, J. Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings: Poems, W W. Norton & Company, 2015. Disponível em: https://poets.org/poem/calling-spiritback-wandering-earth-its-human-feet. Acesso em 02 dez. 2020.

Most verses in this poem by Joy Harjo begin with imperative sentences. Considering the meanings of this structure in English, it is possible to say that the intended effect of its use for the whole text is to: