This week I was reminded over and over and over how poetry brings hope.
“Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness.”
―
Mary Oliver must have been seeing what I see when I look out my windows this week. Yes, it is still winter here in Pittsburgh and we have had lots and lots of snow this week. It it just so beautiful… clean, bright, and hushed.
There was nothing hushed about Amanda Gorman’s poetry before “the big game” last Sunday. I have no idea who had the idea to ask her to write a poem to read before kick off, but… imo…this needs to be something that happens before EVERY sporting event! It was simply the best part of the game because it focused on the hope that is working in our communities.
Next Wednesday, Lent begins and with it a journey. I confess that I am nervous and excited for what lies ahead – writing poetry for 40 days…but that thought also fills me with hope.
Finally, I listened to Chaplain Barry Black on Wednesday as he opened the senate impeachment session with these words from James Russel Lowell’s poem The Present Crisis: “Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side;” I did not know this poem at all, but I have read it a number of times this week. I am stunned that something written 177 years ago has such relevance today…and hope.
Have a great weekend everyone! See you back here on Monday!
Yes to poetry before sporting events from me, too! When I spent some time trying to find out how Amanda Gorman ended up at the Super Bowl, the most I could find was that the NFL contacted her in November because they were trying to create a ceremony that would reflect the challenges the country is facing. I think they might have succeeded. Thank you for the Lenten poetry link. I could not resist “pathways to collective flourishing”!
I think the reason so many people think of poetry as “hard” is because we aren’t exposed to it enough. I think if we all had more poetry in our lives, we’d more readily embrace it!
What a meaningful way to engage during the Lenten season. I like their words: Just a few words will do…No perfection is necessary, nor is it encouraged…This is a practice, not a means of production. (May those be our instructions on Life!)
Amanda Gorman was such a gift on Super Bowl Sunday! Wishing you a relaxing and happy weekend Kat!
What a wonderful way to move through Lent. I hope the exercise is all that you need it to be.
it is crazy that lent starts THIS week. What?? Seems like yesterday it was Christmas. Okay, I’m signing up for your lenten journey. I’ve been on a path of self discovery for a while since the pandemic. The poem what the best part of the superbowl 🙂
Amanda Gorman is a force for good. I read a little about Ferlinghetti’s book. It is very intriguing. I also signed up for the poetry prompts for Lent. The church we belong to advocates adding something to our lives during Lent and this seems like a something I would like to add.