From the Desire Field

Sweet grass (also written as sweetgrass) is a powerful symbol in the poem. It is what the speaker finally imagines will bring her peace and put an end to her restlessness and anxiety. She wants her friend to tell her a story about planting and burning sweet grass, believing that the story will conjure up in her the smell of the “sweet smoke” (Line 37). In Native American lore, sweet grass is considered a sacred plant. It symbolizes healing, harmony, and peace. It is braided, dried, and then burned as part of religious ceremonies that include prayer. The aroma of burning sweet grass is said to be sweet (exactly as the speaker states). The purpose of burning it is to attract positive energies and protect against any negative spirits. Sweet grass is also said to be associated with happiness and kindness and possess a healing effect—its smoke purifies thought and the environment. Seen in this light, and given the restlessness and insomnia of the speaker in the poem, it is perhaps not surprising that even the thought of the aroma of burning sweet grass will be soothing for her. It also confirms her identity as a Native American.