It was with a bit of panic that I realized that I also better get going on my Sketchbook Project 2016. Last year I had written all my poems within a few months, but still, I waited until the last moment to assemble the book. Of course, everything that could happen to make the completion of the project difficult, happened. This year I set myself an additional goal--to add a touch of art to the book rather than simply photocopying the poems and photographs I used.
Now, I'm not sure how I'm going to incorporate the art. Simply spiffing up the book's pages with color? Doing collage? What materials should I use? Feathers (it is an angel book, afterall)? Watercolors? So many things to think about and I haven't even written enough poems yet! Perhaps I should include some angel quotations. That would take care of the problem of having to write more poems! Maybe I should go through my old files and see if there are angel poems that would work. I remembered this one. A little too political? A little irrelevant in 2015? What do you think?
The Better Angels of Our Nature
January 19, 2009
They're coming in--
wings outspread
flapping, flapping
fluttering
fluttering
slowing themselves,
gently
touching down,
making us aware
as they land
that they are only
here in recognition
of a new us.
After eight
long years,
our chest
and shoulder muscles
have been strengthened.
Our hearts beat
at unnatural rates.
We can feel
the lift as we allow
the angels to take us
under their wings
to teach us, again,
how to fly.
© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
The poem was written the day before the inauguration of President Obama. Looking back, now that it's 2015, I see we haven't yet gotten airborne. I think that's a result of obstructionism, fear-mongering, and, extreme hatred. And, that, my friends, is all I will say about that!
Forget the mall, Carol's Corner is the place to be today! She'll have plenty of poetry links, and all they cost, is a little of your time!
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Here are my 2 cents, Diane. With the hint beforehand that the poem was political in nature, I knew right away what it was about, but there's not a whole lot that confines it to the political arena. Only the reference to 8 years, and even that is a stretch. If you wanted to, an easy edit would be to start the second stanza with "Our chest...", leaving out "After eigtht long years." But, IMHO, this poem is not irrelevant, nor too political. It is the pulse of a nation at a particular moment in time. I say use it. (Quotes are good too.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your suggestion, Michelle! I have decided not to use it after all. I still have time to change my mind again, however!
DeleteI agree with Michelle. I love the feeling of hope that arises.
ReplyDeleteI like the feeling of hope, too, but it just doesn't seem to fit going into 2016. :-(
DeleteI am intrigued by the idea of a poetry sketchbook. I would love to hear more about it or see pictures of some of the finished pages.
ReplyDeleteYou can see last year's here. There was no "sketching" involved in that one. The angel one will definitely have original art--mixed media, but may also incorporate the illustrations found here.
DeleteI too knew immediately what it was about, but maybe your hint 'political' helped. Is it not okay to be political? I think it's both wonderful, now sad in hindsight, and believe wholly that your words in the the next to last paragraph are so true-makes me sad. The sketchbook project is wonderful, so maybe someday?
ReplyDeleteIt's okay to be political, but it doesn't reflect the time in which the rest of the poems are being written.
DeleteYeah, we didn't get very far with all that hope, did we? **shaking head sadly and covering mouth so she'll say no more**
ReplyDeleteNo, we didn't. However, if we get the common man and woman to care enough to go out to vote, and to believe their vote will make a difference, then maybe we can try again. I'm behind an amendment to get the money out of politics--it would be a start.
DeleteLuv the comforting tone of this poem. I would suggest if you decide to include it. The note about its political undertone can be included.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend
Much love...
Luv the comforting tone of this poem. I would suggest if you decide to include it. The note about its political undertone can be included.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend
Much love...
So glad you are working on this project, Diane. I agree that the poem is, sadly, not as timely in the current climate. Perhaps you could rewrite with this concept as a start, but then asking where those Angels went?! (Where have we gone?) Sigh,
ReplyDelete