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Post by bridge on Jan 26, 2009 2:27:05 GMT -5
Praise song for the day
by
Elizabeth Alexander
Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others' eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.
Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.
A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky. A teacher says, "Take out your pencils. Begin."
We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider.
We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, "I need to see what's on the other side; I know there's something better down the road."
We need to find a place where we are safe; we walk into that which we cannot yet see.
Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.
Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign, the figuring it out at kitchen tables.
Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy self." Others by "First do no harm," or "Take no more than you need."
What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.
In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light.
Source: CQ Transcriptions. |
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Post by bridge on Jan 26, 2009 2:28:29 GMT -5
I was not all that thrilled about the way she read it but when I read it for myself I found it to be a meaningful poem, what do you all think about it?
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Post by icee on Jan 26, 2009 2:40:30 GMT -5
I think the poem is good and holds much meaning, but I think her perfrmance was a little off due to nerves and the extremely cold weather, who wouldn't be nervous in front of millions of people millions more watching from around the world!
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Post by Sharon on Jan 26, 2009 10:20:39 GMT -5
I thought the poem was very good and that Elizabeth did well delivering it
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Post by Eddie on Jan 26, 2009 18:39:58 GMT -5
I like the poem as well, it has much meaning and it is powerful, but I agree that her  of it was a bit flat |
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Post by Sierra on Jan 27, 2009 5:28:23 GMT -5
I thought the was great!
she is a very accomplished writer and teacher!
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Post by Charles on Jan 27, 2009 18:25:45 GMT -5
I think it an excellent poem  |
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Post by Dana on Jan 27, 2009 20:13:41 GMT -5
she penned a very solid poem in my opinion!  |
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Post by Treasure on Jan 29, 2009 6:18:24 GMT -5
I agree that the performance was somewhat flat, but the words of this poem are solid, I thought it was very powerful
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Post by Bob on Jan 29, 2009 7:23:37 GMT -5
I think it is a quite eloquent piece
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Post by Carin on Jan 30, 2009 22:43:23 GMT -5
I was there in person and I thought the poem was excellent! I have never expeirenced anything like tha tday, the crowd was enourous. I was freezing but I didnt care. I was a witness to history and I loved every second of this historic day!! Wish you al lcould have been there with me...love you guys!
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Post by bridge on Jan 30, 2009 23:11:22 GMT -5
thanks for voting and commenting everyone!
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Post by bridge on Jan 30, 2009 23:13:00 GMT -5
I was there in person and I thought the poem was excellent! I have never expeirenced anything like tha tday, the crowd was enourous. I was freezing but I didnt care. I was a witness to history and I loved every second of this historic day!! Wish you al lcould have been there with me...love you guys! wow that is wonderful that you were there!  |
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Post by Sara on Jan 31, 2009 3:51:56 GMT -5
I thought it was wonderful!
carin, that is so cool that you were there, PM with the details, love ya!
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Post by Lee on Feb 1, 2009 6:19:51 GMT -5
I think the poem is great, loved it!
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of it was a bit flat
and 
all
time for me 
echoes, hope you all are doing well 
