Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Energy, Vitality





“It's all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. 
It connects you with others. It makes you eager. stay eager.” 
― Susan Sontag

“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms 
of energy, frequency and vibration.” 
― Nikola Tesla

“. . . I think love is that condition in the human spirit so profound
that it allows us to forgive, and it may be the energy 
which keeps the stars in the firmament,   I'm not sure. 
It may be the energy which keeps the blood 
running smoothly through our veins.” 



Midweek Motif ~ Energy, Vitality


I'm thinking of the opposite of lethargy, when enthusiasm for living translates a certain possibility into physical expression.

Electricity can do that too.

Your Challenge:  Write a new poem about (and pumped full of) energy.

~~~

I Hear America Singing


BY WALT WHITMAN
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.




I, Too


I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I’ll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,”
Then.

Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed—

I, too, am America.


Excerpt from To a Skylark

         Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!
                Bird thou never wert,
         That from Heaven, or near it,
                Pourest thy full heart
In profuse strains of unpremeditated art.

         Higher still and higher
                From the earth thou springest
         Like a cloud of fire;
                The blue deep thou wingest,
And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest.
. . . . 
(Read the rest HERE at the Poetry Foundation)

~~~

Please share your new poem using Mr. Linky below and visit others 
in the spirit of the community.

*** *** ***

(Next week, Sumana's Midweek Motif will be Colors. )

40 comments:

  1. Hey everyone,

    Wooooooo hooooooo :D its Midweek Motif! And just like our topic I m feeling awesome and full of energy :D Hope you guys like the poem :D

    Thank you Susan for continuing to inspire us :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  2. Hello everyone -

    I did the opposite of energy / vitality on my poem / blogpost. I didn't have the chance to write about it then I saw the coming prompt which is the exactly the opposite of my subject.

    Thanks Susan for pushing me to write haha :)

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    Replies
    1. Your poem inspired another new poem for me!

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  3. Thank you as ever - I think (as ever) we went for the opposite - although the electricity still sings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome as ever ... I'm coming right over!

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  4. A wonderful prompt Susan and great responses...really enjoying :)

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  5. With the Paris Conference on Climate Change happening right now, it was hard not to reflect on our planet's vitality and energy with this prompt...
    Thanks, Susan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perfect! Thanks for starting an energetic conversation on your blog this morning. Maybe our paying attention will help.

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  6. Ha, I have had the opposite of energy this week, so I wrote about that, LOL.

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    Replies
    1. You provide a bit of balm--I can hear it in your cackling!

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  7. This is an energy filled season, if only for its music, Thanks for a lovely Christmas-y prompt Susan

    much love...

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    Replies
    1. Thanks to you for picking it up and running with it!

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  8. It's rainy and gloomy, here in New York City, so this is the perfect prompt. Thank you. Susan! ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very grey and drippy here, too--a perfect day to have these poems to energize me!

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  9. Hello Friends... Really looking forward to reading your poems. It may be later today, as I have a busy day ahead!

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    Replies
    1. Lol Mary you caught me :D I was indeed writing of my love and the positive energy which it provides :D

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  10. I just posted mine, which is called potential (as in energy). I look forward reading everyone's. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Rob. You are in for a treat today.

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  11. finally a little time to sit to read and write this week, My poem shows the energy and excitement of my son's first snow. Thanks!

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  12. Your prompt made me think what fills me up with energy, even when I am low. Thanks for the wonderful prompt, Susan.

    Excited to read some lovely poems on this prompt.
    Have a wonderful week ahead, everyone :)

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  13. Good morning, everyone! Couldn't wait to log on and link a very recent post that seems to fit this theme perfectly. Now for breakfast, and then a read of all your poems to energise me for the day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PS Some of you have seen and commented on my post already. It's the drawing lesson.

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    2. Thanks, Rosemary. Today's poems have been a treat.

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  14. Busy day today - all hyper - the opposite of vitality! I like this prompt but my perception is more spiritual than physical. I love the trees in the woods at my house and we have a long, deep friendship. I've posted a poem I wrote last week to this prompt when it was mentioned. I'll be back to read and comment. I can hardly wait! You all have seen the photos of my trees last Sunday and Monday for the interview so you all have met my friends!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Surely have, Toni! Looking forward to reading your poem.

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  15. Now for something completely different!

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  16. Hi Everyone, Came back after a break.I just wanted to announce that I became a grand mother, at last. It's a girl...Yay!!
    Thanks for the prompt, Susan. Going to come back tomorrow to read the other poems.

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  17. splendid prompt for this time of year when our energies are waning which suited my poem too because vitality is only measured by its opposite
    Susan - the poems and quotes you found are so stimulating - wonder how long it takes you to find these and put it all together
    Had the energy but lacked the time - will follow up tomorrow with reading other midweekers

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for commenting on the prompt. It takes a while to write them, but I really enjoy the process of putting together "little collages" each week. Different parts catch different poet's eyes. And some just hear the motif and take off. Finally, I get to read many different creative perspectives on themes that matter to me. Totally energizing.

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  18. Sorry, but mine's about negative energy. Personally and geographically affected by today's mass shooting.

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    Replies
    1. Brutal! And the live reporting was odd and stressful too. Thank you for bringing it up. Going over to read your poem.

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  19. Hello and good morning all! I always seem to lag behind. Will try to speed up. Enjoyed this very much, Susan!

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