在這首詩裏，詩人以廚房餐桌作為「延伸隱喻」（extended metaphor）貫穿整首詩，象徵著人生的種種階段及經歷，由出生、成長、少年人做夢、成年人追夢，到學習做人、面對戰爭和苦難，回憶往事，人生的悲喜交集，親人的出生及離世，甚至到最後的死亡。與此同時，詩人透過廚房餐桌這個隱喻代表著家庭/鄰舎/群體的關係，大家一起經歷/分享人生的點點滴滴，彼此的故事潤澤著彼此的生命。雖然笑中有淚，但卻仍能以感恩作為人生的總結。
開首詩人以直述句指出，世界誕生於廚房餐桌，因為人類始於飲食，不論如何；自創世以來，大地的禮物（意即食物）給帶到餐桌上，令生命得以延續，所以生命亦圍繞著餐桌發生：
我們在餐桌旁追趕母雞或狗隻離開餐桌；嬰孩在餐桌角落長牙及搔癢他們的膝蓋。這個圖畫喻意生命的誕生及長大。如此同時，成人於餐桌給予小朋友教導，指導他們如何成長及做人；在餐桌這個地方，我們建立塑造男人和女人。
我們坐在餐桌說閑話，憶起敵人和情人的鬼魅。
我們少年的夢想好像喝咖啡般，有點苦的味道；夢想嘲笑著我們嘗試實踐夢想的失敗和沮喪，直到我們再次振作起來。
這張餐桌如同為我們遮風擋雨的屋企，又是讓我們能夠享受溫暖陽光的傘子。
戰爭亦於這張餐桌開始和結束；當戰爭的可怕來臨時，餐桌給我們躲避隱藏的地方；亦是慶祝慘烈勝利的地方。
我們在這張餐桌為到小生命的到來而高興唱歌，亦為到父母的喪葬而悲傷；我們為著苦難和懊悔禱告，亦獻上感恩。
當我們笑著哭著吃下最後一口飯，世界可能就在餐桌這個地方結束。
Perhaps the World Ends Here by Joy Harjo
The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live.
The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on.
We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teethe at the corners. They scrape their knees under it.
It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human. We make men at it, we make women.
At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.
Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together once again at the table.
This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.
Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror. A place to celebrate the terrible victory.
We have given birth on this table, and have prepared our parents for burial here.
At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow. We pray of suffering and remorse. We give thanks.
Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite.
English language & literature 