I really enjoyed Elizabeth Alexander's poem, though not so much her delivery; her choppy recitation reminded me of Mike Meyers in So I Married An Axe Murderer ("Wo-man / Woe man ... she stole my heart and my cat!"). I prefer a more natural cadence -- especially when you have such an opportunity to bring non-fans into the poetry loving fold -- but hey, it's her baby, she can read it any way she likes.
Honestly, though, this is my kind of poem: Accessible, simple, well crafted. The imagery celebrates and elevates the ordinary. Poetry does not have to be esoteric or self-important; I like my T.S. Eliot as much as anyone, but sometimes it's better to "say it plain," as Alexander has.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the poem. I hope I don't violate any copyrights or step on any toes in reprinting it (copied from MSNBC.com) for you here. Enjoy:
Praise Song for the Day
A Poem for Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration
Each day we go about our business,
walking past each other, catching each other’s
eyes or not, about to speak or speaking.
All about us is noise. All about us is
noise and bramble, thorn and din, each
one of our ancestors on our tongues.
Someone is stitching up a hem, darning
a hole in a uniform, patching a tire,
repairing the things in need of repair.
Someone is trying to make music somewhere,
with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum,
with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.
A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky.
A teacher says, Take out your pencils. Begin.
We encounter each other in words, words
spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed,
words to consider, reconsider.
We cross dirt roads and highways that mark
the will of some one and then others, who said
I need to see what’s on the other side.
I know there’s something better down the road.
We need to find a place where we are safe.
We walk into that which we cannot yet see.
Say it plain: that many have died for this day.
Sing the names of the dead who brought us here,
who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges,
picked the cotton and the lettuce, built
brick by brick the glittering edifices
they would then keep clean and work inside of.
Praise song for struggle, praise song for the day.
Praise song for every hand-lettered sign,
the figuring-it-out at kitchen tables.
Some live by love thy neighbor as thyself,
others by first do no harm or take no more
than you need. What if the mightiest word is love?
Love beyond marital, filial, national,
love that casts a widening pool of light,
love with no need to pre-empt grievance.
In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air,
any thing can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,
praise song for walking forward in that light.
Copyright © 2009 by Elizabeth Alexander. All rights reserved.
~RCH~
6 years ago
4 comments:
I too liked the poem. In fact, I was quite taken by the entire inaugural ceremony (except for the little misstep by our honorable Chief Justice, who muffed his lines). I was particularly impressed with President Obama's inaugural address. I thought it was classy, visionary, healing, forward looking--things we need right now in our country.
This is my kind of poetry, too. I think it is very beautiful. I agree with your critique of the delivery, but hadn't thought of the comparison to 'So I Married An Axe Murderer', but very true and hilarious. I thought maybe she was nervous up there, and that was how she kept her nerves in check. Just a guess.
I too loved the poem but thought her delivery was off a bit. But goodness gracious, I would have been a nervous wreck (though honored) to recite a poem at such an event.
I loved the imagery and I loved the poem, especially the line "each
one of our ancestors on our tongues".
Her delivery was wierd, though, and I thought maybe she couldn't find her page to turn at the lettuce part...I was worried for her!
The whole inauguration was uplifting and gave me such hope...the things the President said were all the things I had wanted and more. I was in tears more than once, which disturbed Dana greatly and prompted her to give me a tissue and proclaim "this is too sad! How about we watch the Powerpuff Girls instead?" :D
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