“In order to rise
From its own ashes
A phoenix
First
Must
Burn.”
—Octavia E. Butler
–Photo by Valera Taljutov. Used with permission.
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Linus is triumphant
No one believed me,
but here comes the Great Pumpkin.
My patch was sincere!
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Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven by W.B. Yeats
Had I the heaven’s embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light;
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.(I reread this poem today and was struck once more by its beauty. Just had to share.)
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In honor of World Poetry Day, I shall share one of mine
A TV Family’s Mob Ties The Butcher didn’t take the breakup well.
He sent Bobby’s ear to Alice.
The Bradys are now in witness protection.–Originally published in Professor Barnhardt’s Journal
To learn more about World Poetry Day, click here. -
You are powerful
You are powerful.
Your words have weight
and your actions have consequences.These powers are often ignored
by those with the financial wherewithal
to purchase signs and mailers and TV commercials.Yet all the dark money
and advertised backstabbing
mean little if you ignore their skewed messages.You can abstain from the process
and remain silently pessimistic.
Millions will do so, much to their own detriment.Or, you can fulfill your duty
as a patriotic and responsible citizen
and take a stand for what you believe is right.The end result may still disappoint.
Fears often overwhelm hope
when the fate of an unknown future is on the line.But you are powerful.
On Tuesday, you will cast a vote,
and the political world will shift at your might.(Poem by Jade Walker. Photo by Wendell Franks)
