I discovered a new web site I like called Watermark. It features poetry, commentary and a lot of descriptive writing about cats. The woman poet who started the site loves cats and publishes pictures of her own. The Watermark site published the inaugural poem written by Elizabeth Alexander. The Poem is titled Praise Song for the Day. When Alexander read it, I thought the poem sounded flat. When I read the printed word, the poem comes alive. The words sparkle. Why did I have 2 different reactions to the same poem? I do not know. Maybe I was too keyed up on inauguration day to let the words settle me down. In a way, this praise song the poet wrote also sounds like a lament. Many of the Psalms in the Bible also praise and lament. Some poems take time to absorb. Praise Song for the Day is one of them.
Here are a couple of my favorite lines from Praise Song.
In todays sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.
AND
We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed, words to consider, reconsider.
It occurred to me that, at the end of our life, we are the sum of our words. For me that is a frightening thought. I have said and thought a lot of hateful, spiny words. But each day, thank God, is a new beginning.
Here is a re-affirming Buddhist blessing to close this post.
May you be at peace
May you know the beauty of your own true nature;
May your heart remain open;
May you be healed.
Getting physical
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Training sessions have been going really well these past few weeks. I
swim, lift, and run on my own (or with the masters swim team) during the
week, and o...
12 years ago
4 comments:
I think it's interesting that you had two different reactions to the poem, Honor. I was kind of wondering why the poem was scheduled for after his speech. After such a serious, powerful, uplifting speech from Obama, I wanted something a bit more peppy than a thoughtful poem. I wanted to keep cheering ... perhaps to Aretha Franklin. The poem would have been better placed immediately before or after the musical performance with Yo Yo Ma (sp?)--which, by the way, was a recording!! I heard that on NPR today. They were worried that the strings on the piano or the violin or cello would snap in the cold temperatures, so the musicians played (lip synched) to a recording they had made a few days earlier. Ha!
Maybe Alexander's reading of the piece was flat ... maybe she was feeling a little flat after freezing her hiney off that day. :)
I think that the "reader" can influence how a work is felt by the audience. I myself don't like audio books for that reason, also I just don't like being read to. I didn't hear the poem as I had to go to work so that is my only comment. I enjoyed the quartet's music. I wondered how they were able to play in such frigid conditions. It doesn't bother me that it was a recording. It was wonderful that such accomplished musicians were able to participate in the flesh, perhaps they should have announced that it was pre-recorded, but that didn't change the beauty of the music. I had heard that some did not care for the music. I believe they felt it was too sedate for the occasion. maybe they should have played "Celebration"by Cool & the Gang(I think). Celebrate good times, come on. There's a party going on right here. A celebration to last throughout the year...
Let's see what other songs would have been fitting for the occasion? Any thoughts bloggers? I heard that Springsteen did The Rising and John Mellancamp did Little Pink Houses at a pre-party. Those are pretty good.
I think that poetry requires an intimate setting if it is being read in public. That hardly describes Obama's inauguration. Praise Song was more thoughtful than upbeat. There were no rhyming words and repetitive phrases to grab the listener's attention. I think upbeat music would have been more appropriate after Obama's speech. It was nice that he included a poet in the ceremony though. I think she should have appeared earlier, as my family has said.
I loved the music at the inauguration. The quartet gave it a sophisticated air. I don't care if the music was pre-recorded. Aretha got the place jumping with an inspiring rendition of My Country tis of Thee. And she wore that HAT. When I think of Obama's inauguration I will envision Aretha's hat. More music would have been more icing on the cake. At the prayer service the following day, the Washington children's gospel choir performed He's Got the Whole World in his Hands. It was an outstanding rendition. They moved and sang with grace. Too bad they did not get to perform at the inauguration. I think Cool and The Gang would have been fun to hear. I like gospel music though. I wish we could have heard that at the nation's historic celebration. I do think Diane Feinstein should be praised for planning a wonderful event.
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