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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 7823
Registered: 03-2004

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Posted on Monday, March 16, 2009 - 11:09 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Here it comes, y'all, and what better way to start it out than with


Praise Song For The Day.

Each day we go about our business
walking past each other
catching each others' 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 someone
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 in

APraise 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 thy self."
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 preempt grievance.

In today's sharp sparkle
this winter air
anything can be made
any sentence begun.

On the brink,
on the brim,
on the cusp

praise song for walking forward in that light.

Composed by and copyright by
Elizabeth Alexander

Arranged by Chris Hayden
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Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep

Post Number: 3470
Registered: 01-2005

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Posted on Monday, March 16, 2009 - 08:59 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I like your arrangement of the poem, CHris! Here is a nice clip of her talking about a number of topics: http://www.salon.com/ent/video_dog/big_think/2009/03/09/bt_alexander/index.html
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Cagedbird
Regular Poster
Username: Cagedbird

Post Number: 87
Registered: 02-2004

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Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - 09:11 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

thanks chris!

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