Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time.
I am using use this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!
I am continuing with my Poetry Month challenges and thank Karen Edmisten for hosting Poetry Friday HERE She has already made me happy with a special poem by Ted Kooser. Hope you'll be happy when you read it, too! Thanks very much again, Karen! Remember to check out what's happening with the next Progressive Poem line today by Sarah Grace Tuttle. See the entire list on the right.
Whew, this is a brand new form to me. the Poetry Foundation says this: "This is a Latin phrase meaning “Where are they?” By posing a series of questions about the fate of the strong, beautiful, or virtuous, these poems meditate on the transitory nature of life and the inevitability of death." There are examples also found at the site.
A modern-era example is Pete Seeger's "Where Have All the Flowers Gone". You can listen to Peter, Paul, and Mary sing it HERE, at their 25th reunion.
As you will see, I was looking at the past but bringing the loss forward for all of our hopes.
Where?
Where are the good ones we need for support?
John Lewis, Justice Ginsburg, we cherish your words.
Bring Martin along; he sings the same song,
that all lives are better when we get along.
Where are the people from out of my past?
My grandfather told me words from his heart.
He’s no longer here but his wisdom will last.
They’re of hope for each of us good folks today.
No matter who we meet, sometimes far away.
striving for what we all want, like those
yesterday–
Freedom for loving and caring, a freedom to be.
They are all gone, but we still sing the song
of those we are missing who called out the wrongs:
César, Mahatma, Gloria and Eleanor, too
have stayed in our circle,
their words ringing out
despite how we miss them
they taught us to shout!
Linda Baie ©
Free Stock photos by Vecteezy
Where? Right here, Linda. Your poem's words "ring out" as well. Resonant of the past and the future. :)
ReplyDeleteLinda, you bring all the strong voices back from the past to make us ponder. Questions, remind us that we need to continue to hope. When will we ever learn? This is poem to read again and again. Thank you for sharing your poetic voice with us today.
ReplyDeleteYay for this kind of deliberate writing, Linda! Love how you've made this your own. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing me to yet another new poetic form. You ask thought provoking, poignant questions in your poem, Linda. Love the sense of gratitude for the thought leaders who came before.
ReplyDeleteAsking about those gone, in this poem, helps keep those gone and missed relevant and remembered. I've enjoyed your poems this month, Linda. They are all heart felt.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone. This was a tough one to attempt to get right but I'm glad you understand the message. I'm holding onto hope that we all get it right!
ReplyDeleteLinda, I love the message in your poem, and the great hope. "Where are the good ones...?" is a powerful phrase that we can use to look for the good ones today as well. "They are all gone, but we still sing the song" Amen!
ReplyDeleteI can see that a ubi sunt is a challenge, as is writing poems A to Z.
Linda, what a poem! Really feels anthemic. Happy to see you tackling the whole alphabet of poetry :>D
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and wistful poem. I agree that you are one of the shining lights that I look to. What an awesome poetry month project!
ReplyDeleteI spent some time thinking about our prophets this week--thank you for giving them a new poem today! Let us be attending to our prophets before they are dead and gone, so we know who they are in life.
ReplyDeleteYour project this year is amazing! So many forms, and each poem a small wonder. I love this one. So important for these days in this fractured country.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments everyone. This month has been quite the challenge, especially with so many things happening in our world, both good and not so much.
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful forms, Linda! Today's reminds me to keep the lessons from the past alive, at least in my heart.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to check out R Is for Rhyme, Linda. We've lost so many "good ones" recently, people who create positive change.
ReplyDeleteLove your heart, mind and words, Linda - and thank you for the introduction to this form! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rose, Laura, and Robyn. It's a pleasure to share this poem.
ReplyDeleteI love this line: "They are all gone, but we still sing the song" - indeed we can!
ReplyDeleteShout it, Linda! You're one of the good ones. Keep singing. ❤️❤️
ReplyDeletePeter, Paul, & Mary - & Linda! Your poem sings truth. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteLove reading your comments, Anastasia, Karen, & Patricia. Thank you!
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