Perhaps the World Ends Here by Joy Harjo

You have read the poem a few times, taken notes on what resonates, confuses, raises questions, researched the author, and defined the words as they relate to the poem's context. As you write your response to this portion of the assignment (step 5), let me stress to you how absolutely imperative it is that you always always always support your ideas, reflections, thoughts, and synthesis with embedded support: textual if from the written word; situational or dialogue if from film; aspects if from art. Otherwise you are submitting an opinion paper and that is not valid; it is not viable; and it is not academic.
Now that we have covered that…
Step 3: Research the symbolism of "table" and of "the table"; look in sacred texts including the Bible, mythology, folklore, legend (think King Arthur), psychology, anthropology, fables (as in Aesop), etc…and other places that are a bit more obscure i.e. The Mensa Society (mensa is Latin for ?).
Step 4: Consider the riddle from Sophocles' play "Oedipus the King": "What creature walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three in the evening?" It is easy enough to google the answer but I hope that you think about it first. Take the answer and align it to/with Harjo's poem. Although I generally eschew telling you HOW to do something - you are, after all, the Captain of your own academic ship - I think that it would facilitate the process to make a two-column chart. But, however you decide to accomplish the task, make sure it is clear. Navigating canvas is scavenger hunt enough:/
Step 5: Harjo uses the table as a symbol for aspects/stages of human life. Consider Harjo's tone, diction (word choice), syntax (sentence structure), and thesis (is it implicit or explicit?). Allegory is used to teach a moral, spiritual, or political lesson. In 200 - 225 words, explain what you think Harjo's message might be in this poem.
Keep the definitions of allegory, edify, and didactic in mind as you analyze and connect.
Remember the two questions of analysis: What Does It Mean? (CM) and How Do I Know? (CN)