Featuring cherita!


August 30, 2013

Poetry Friday--Peace!

Novelist and poet, Wendell Berry, was recently named the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award winner. His poetry is full of love and respect for the Earth and its creatures as is evident from this poem:
What We Need Is Here

Geese appear high over us,
pass, and the sky closes. Abandon,
as in love or sleep, holds
them to their way, clear
in the ancient faith: what we need
is here. And we pray, not
for new earth or heaven, but to be
quiet in heart, and in eye,
clear. What we need is here.

In case you don't know it, the International Day of Peace, a United Nations initiative, is held each year on September 21. This year it is on a Saturday. Playing for Change is partnering with IPD and is celebrating the date as Playing for Change Day. PFC, in turn, is also partnering with the 1Love Project.

Here's a sample of the joyous music Playing for Change uses to promote peace:



The following week, September 28, 2013, is the 100 Thousand Poets For Change annual celebration held in locations around the world!

Imagine a world where people are enjoying and respecting the natural world, playing instruments, singing, writing/reading/performing poetry--wouldn't that be a better place than one mired in conflict? I urge you to take part in all the September 2013 events, but, to strive for peace every day of the year. We lead by example.

A Teaching Life is hosting this week's Poetry Friday Round-Up.

21 comments:

  1. "We lead by example." Fabulous, important, timely post, Diane. The video choked me up a little. It's a near-perfect picture of what could be. (A few more women in the video would have made it the perfect picture.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I choked up, too. This video from Maine, in case you haven't seen it yet, also chokes me up. But, you know, I'm soft as a grape. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrkWKdkN-CM

      Delete
  2. Uplifting and inspiring! "What we need is here" -- words to live by. Thanks the the reminder, Diane.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Michelle. This poem was one I suggested be read at a recent wedding (wink, wink). It didn't make the cut... :-(

      Delete
    2. So true-- would have made a beautiful wedding poem!

      Delete
  3. A beautiful musical collaboration and heart-tugging poem. My new goal for the day: "to be quiet in heart, and in eye,clear."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a reason why the expression goes, "a little peace and quiet."

      Delete
  4. Keri's favorite line was mine, too. Thanks for sharing all of this today - so very needed and relevant. Thanks, too, for dropping by my blog today - I thought you would especially enjoy the new haiku voices! :0)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for this lovely poem. Thinking today of Syria and Seamus Heaney -- I appreciate the call to a quiet heart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wrote today's post several weeks in advance, so Syria wasn't even on my radar. Funny, how appropriate the post turned out to be! (I had to everything taken care of ahead of time so that I could enjoy the big wedding last weekend.)

      Delete
  6. I love Berry's work. Beautiful message in this poem. Thanks for the heads up on the Peace Day celebrations.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you for introducing me to Berry's poetry! And for the reminders of the International Day of Peace and 100 Thousand Poets for Change. I'd love to be a part of that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely look into his work. I think you'll like it.

      Delete
  8. I was just reading an extremely depressing article about Syria, and I like reading Wendell Berry much more! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sincerely hope that the powers that be come to realize that you can't stop killing with killing. Why is that such a difficult concept?

      Delete
  9. What a wonderful musical collaboration!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Check out the other Playing for Change videos on YouTube--a nice variety.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love everything about this post! Playing for Change -- a FAVORITE! I've heard them live!! Wendell Berry -- no poet more deserving for a Peace Award!!

    You inspired me to post this invitation on my class' public blog: http://goo.gl/iV9TEh I can't wait to see if we get any responses and what my students will plan when we get back together on Tuesday!

    THANKS!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great idea! (I emailed you a lengthier response.)

      Delete