tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post3138114061403321727..comments2023-11-05T07:53:12.708-05:00Comments on Poets United: Poems of the Week ~ by Ayala and RajaniRosemary Nissen-Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913841031559499568noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-51054364102265363942017-03-01T10:01:35.489-05:002017-03-01T10:01:35.489-05:00I am so glad to read the post with three wise and ...I am so glad to read the post with three wise and insightful poems. Am also glad to read the conversation in comments. I don't think any one thing is going to "save the world". Each person must follow their inclination to contribute something that is life giving and sustaining. Poetry is one contributor, and each poet exposes his/her heart to others. For me, it's a lot about my own salvation. My hope that as I refine, understand myself better i may be more prone to give, to "save" what needs saving. <br />I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Thank you Sherry for the way you combine and expose poems that make us think and nourish us.Myrna R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15088915165678737118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-48897506108113830282017-02-28T12:53:31.570-05:002017-02-28T12:53:31.570-05:00I hope they will too, Rajani!I hope they will too, Rajani!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07366010389846904663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-82211236143385657362017-02-28T12:52:15.327-05:002017-02-28T12:52:15.327-05:00Thank you for explaining "Marcus," Rajan...Thank you for explaining "Marcus," Rajani. Now I understand.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07366010389846904663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-29263959095507645642017-02-28T11:41:52.165-05:002017-02-28T11:41:52.165-05:00The comments at Moonlight Musings are truly part o...The comments at Moonlight Musings are truly part of this conversation, so illuminating and intelligent. We write because we must and can only hope our words reach someone in the world and make a difference. It is interesting how both of our features arrived here so fortuitously close together. I love when that happens!Sherry Blue Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769154286598233146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-22909656749369667272017-02-28T07:43:00.815-05:002017-02-28T07:43:00.815-05:00Thanks Rosemary... that was an interesting comment...Thanks Rosemary... that was an interesting comment that you referred to. I'm one of the sceptics though, not because I think poetry is not powerful enough to change the world but because I wonder at its reach in these times, beyond becoming an echo chamber of poets reading poets. But I do hope that will change and more people will once more embrace the beauty and strength of poetry. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-36349782923217152592017-02-28T06:10:34.788-05:002017-02-28T06:10:34.788-05:00Sherry, I know you plan and prepare these features...Sherry, I know you plan and prepare these features in advance, but my goodness what a wonderful follow-on this is to my last Moonlight Musings, which asked whether poetry can save the world. These three poems are a great demonstration of how important it is that poets keep responding to what is going on in the world. As Bjorn suggested recently, each poem might save a bit of it.<br /><br />Please, people, take time to go back to that discussion too, as a wonderful, inspiring late comment came in from Biswajit Mukhopadhyay, which completes the discussion splendidly and deserves to be read.<br /><br />(Mary, thank you for the question about Marcus. I have wondered too. As Rajani knows by now, I am always captivated by her conversations at the Phantom Road blog.)<br />Rosemary Nissen-Wadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05913841031559499568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-264233093757452512017-02-28T05:17:15.146-05:002017-02-28T05:17:15.146-05:00I do love this feature.. and though I do understan...I do love this feature.. and though I do understand the struggle of people in every country and outside out countries we have to help each other. What is worst with the travel ban is that it did it from a point of security risk when in reality it's something else. It shows in how many people sees it. Security is of course a concern, but we will not be more secure by painting everyone that's different as murderers. The ban is not concern but the first step in ostracizing people on a broader scale. brudberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12563403553536472377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-82747268242159458272017-02-27T22:57:44.547-05:002017-02-27T22:57:44.547-05:00You are most welcome, my friend. I knew these offe...You are most welcome, my friend. I knew these offerings would resonate with you.Sherry Blue Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769154286598233146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-30589973097408217012017-02-27T22:55:48.364-05:002017-02-27T22:55:48.364-05:00Darned autocorrect.....I meant the wealth of talen...Darned autocorrect.....I meant the wealth of talent......Sherry Blue Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769154286598233146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-36259673230067127972017-02-27T22:54:38.963-05:002017-02-27T22:54:38.963-05:00Mary, thank you, as always, for your appreciation....Mary, thank you, as always, for your appreciation. The earth and diversity of talent we have to draw from in this community means I will never run out of features.....I Hope! Sherry Blue Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769154286598233146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-6821261534876141692017-02-27T22:33:03.060-05:002017-02-27T22:33:03.060-05:00This feature leaves me breathless.
The first &q...This feature leaves me breathless. <br /><br />The first "Bury me in a pine box / breathless yet breathing. / I won't leave, / I won't go.' is all too possible for our newest Americans, and your poem, Ayala, takes a stand. I would love to stand in a sea of placards saying "I am not a stranger." This poem may speak for many. If the threat ever reaches your door, call on me.<br /><br />And Rajani--well you know how much I love these two poems that face the fading of morality (before the fading of existence) with the demand for healing instead--whether that healing feels like chaos or like a kiss. What power, what a gift. <br /><br />Sherry, I love how you think and combine and synthesize! Thank you.<br />Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05723639294340760325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-91745665245808274172017-02-27T21:54:20.089-05:002017-02-27T21:54:20.089-05:00All the three poems shared here have their after e...All the three poems shared here have their after effects..the words expressed shake the mind and make us more committed to writing and reading more..Thank you Sherry for this wonderful feature with Ayala and Rajani...Sumana Royhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17333363799083094084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-53688347605621662772017-02-27T20:40:50.017-05:002017-02-27T20:40:50.017-05:00Thanks so much Mary, appreciate your question. Tha...Thanks so much Mary, appreciate your question. That poem is from my blog Phantom Road. All the posts there are structured as conversations with a fictional Marcus. The adapted haibun format gives me space to express thoughts that perhaps are more difficult (for me) with regular poems. You can find them at phantomroad.wordpress.com Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-76500648273499465672017-02-27T20:24:03.551-05:002017-02-27T20:24:03.551-05:00As poets, I suppose we can only observe, feel what...As poets, I suppose we can only observe, feel what we feel and, if moved to do so, try to express our emotion in words. Hoping that perhaps it will resonate with some readers, offer hope or comfort, highlight something that needs changing and maybe even inspire someone to stand up or write a letter in response. Thank you, Rajani, and Ayala, for sharing what you wrote. Your experiences and feelings I know will resonate globally, as displacement and struggle is happening everywhere. Far too many homeless people on this planet.Sherry Blue Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769154286598233146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-9099965448446575472017-02-27T20:22:31.370-05:002017-02-27T20:22:31.370-05:00And thank YOU, Bekkie, for the honesty and authent...And thank YOU, Bekkie, for the honesty and authenticity and openness of your comment! Wishing you MUCH happiness.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07366010389846904663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-25154134317121203792017-02-27T20:21:10.332-05:002017-02-27T20:21:10.332-05:00Wow, what a wonderful feature this week! Ayala, I ...Wow, what a wonderful feature this week! Ayala, I love your poem "I am an Immigrant - I am an American." Really this is a poem of today. The last eight lines of the poem really move me. I feel the strength of those words! And yes, humanity's voice needs to be heard.<br /><br />And, Rajani, in the poem of yours that Sherry featured I feel the cycle of life....spring will follow winter, day will replace night..... Ranjani, can I ask you a question? In this poem you address a "Marcus," and I wonder if Marcus is a real person or is symbolic for the reader of your poetry. Your second poem really speaks of nature in such a profound way.<br /><br />Ayala and Ranjani, thank you (both) for being such supporters of PU.<br /><br />Sherry, love the way you weave the words of poets into these excellent features!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07366010389846904663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-70987214473210419712017-02-27T20:13:54.134-05:002017-02-27T20:13:54.134-05:00Thanks so much for featuring my poems Sherry. I wo...Thanks so much for featuring my poems Sherry. I would like to add that I did not write them with the situation in any particular country in mind. I do hope though that humanity learns to heal and love, and I do wonder about the role, if any, poetry has in that process! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-8885109867699637232017-02-27T20:04:41.931-05:002017-02-27T20:04:41.931-05:00Awesome poems that make my heart glad, yet sad. Br...Awesome poems that make my heart glad, yet sad. Bravo! What is happening in the United States right now will help no one-so sad. <br /><br />I am 62, an older American who can't afford to retire even though I am (because I can't find a job.) I'm middle class, and getting hit every which way by taxes, insurance, and general cost of living. I have never owned my own home and the cost of rent has become outrageous. Obamacare didn't work for me, or my roommate who is 58, a college graduate and struggling since his layoff of his over 10 year job because it went overseas. These are just a few of our difficulties of the last 3 years but one needs a job to survive. The middle class has paid enough we need a break!<br /><br />It hurts to know that all the energy wasted on this election won't do any good. At this age I know too well how long the government can drag it's feet no matter who is president. I can't imagine being a veteran, having children, or a large family living like I do. But it's my life and I'll never give up trying to be happy because if I'm not, I only have myself to blame for leaving this planet without enjoying it.<br /><br />I don't know what I'd do if someone told me I couldn't become an American, or come into this country. I'm not going to pretend I know what it feels like, (me, who's never been out of the US) but your poetry has given me an idea. Thank you Ayala and Rajani for having a voice and thank you Sherry for amplifying those voices.<br /><br />Hugs! Bekkie Sanchezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300001421561443693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-47990295244510618092017-02-27T17:23:00.920-05:002017-02-27T17:23:00.920-05:00Most of us reject the inhumanity being shown right...Most of us reject the inhumanity being shown right now, Ayala. I hope this all comes to an end very soon, and we return to an America we recognize.Sherry Blue Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769154286598233146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139625267522039683.post-20354835293219416922017-02-27T16:20:13.469-05:002017-02-27T16:20:13.469-05:00Thank you for featuring us here, Sherry. Hopefully...Thank you for featuring us here, Sherry. Hopefully humanity's voice will be heard.ayalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13243362803799877014noreply@blogger.com