Featuring cherita!


September 28, 2012

Poetry Friday--100 Thousand Poets for Change

Tomorrow, September 29, there will be a worldwide poetry happening sponsored by 100 Thousand Poets for Change.

As of last weekend, there were events scheduled in 115 countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. If you check the event listings here, you may find one happening near you. In New Hampshire, there's something in Exeter, and over the border in Massachusetts there's a program at the Boston Public Library.




In the event that there's nothing in your area, you can sit in front of your computer or tablet and tune in to the livestream events that are listed here.

I'd like to think that 100 thousand poets could effect a major change in the world, yet, I'd be happy if they could just get a few people to stop and think about adding their voices to the call for change.

Here's a poem by Rita Dove that I think can help people be more aware of possibilities.
Dawn Revisited

Imagine you wake up
with a second chance: The blue jay
hawks his pretty wares
and the oak still stands, spreading
glorious shade. If you don't look back,

the future never happens.
How good to rise in sunlight,
in the prodigal smell of biscuits—
eggs and sausage on the grill.
The whole sky is yours

to write on, blown open
to a blank page. Come on,
shake a leg! You'll never know
who's down there, frying those eggs,
if you don't get up and see.
The Round-Up this week is being held at Paper Tigers.




7 comments:

  1. I love this poem! I started posting Friday Poetry on the bulletin board in my community college library. This one is going into my collection for a future week. Thanks so much!!

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    1. I think it's a poem even elementary school kids can understand.

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  2. I agree -- small change is as necessary as revolution.

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  3. Perfect poem for a Saturday morning!

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    1. Is it drizzling by you Ruth? It's so gray today and fried eggs sound so good...

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  4. What a great first line to use as a poetry prompt: Imagine you wake up. Or just "imagine." I'm seriously enamored of how that poem starts. Thanks so much for sharing!

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