An Activ(ist) Poem
This poem wants to leap and shout,
startling you with its vigour,
its rebellious fervour emblazoned
hot pink against the prevailing grey.
It wants to rush up like a sudden flame
piercing the night – or the silencing white,
the dirty, dull white of an overcast day.
This poem wants to burn bright and fierce.
This poem wants to wrap its arms
gloriously around you, yodelling its joy.
It wants to dance with you, spin you,
run up walls and ceilings like Fred Astaire.
It wants to twirl you around and around
so that when you emerge, giddy,
you see the world in a brand new way –
to spin you so dizzy you fall in love.
This poem wants to break you open
and put you back together different,
your eyes gazing wider, your heart
strong with passion, your hands working.
This poem wants to dig itself
into the dirt, to spread like tree roots
underground, through the whole earth ...
this poem wants to heal the earth.
This poem is a cry, a fist-pump,
a rush, a stampede. This poem
is charging into the future, praying
that we have one, and acting as if.
Poetic Asides prompt, day 4: An active poem.
Words from skyloverpoetry: emblazon, hot pink.
Sharing with Poets and Storytellers United via Weekly Scribblings #66: All About April – because this poem was written for the April prompts, and even more because of the verdict just announced in the case about the murder of George Floyd. I wanted to share something triumphant and looking to a positive future.
This is such a dynamic poem, Rosemary! It certainly got me going. I like the ‘rebellious fervour emblazoned hot pink against the prevailing grey’ and the image of Fred Astaire running up walls and ceilings made me smile. My favourite lines:
ReplyDelete‘This poem wants to dig itself
into the dirt, to spread like tree roots
underground, through the whole earth ...
this poem wants to heal the earth.’
Rosemary, this poem is doing what it is supposed to do, remind us that in this bleak old world there is good news bursting forth. To me it has an aggressive nature in each verse. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you too, for hosting. I like Aprils.
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Luv the future charge of this poem
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday, thank you for dropping by my blog today
Much💛love
I hope a solid future can be built upon this verdict. So many people of color (PoCs) weren't at all sure what the outcome would be. We've seen far too many miscarriages of justice before. I am happy he was found guilty on all three counts (though I remain skeptical that he will be given a substantial sentence).
ReplyDeleteBut there's a group in his name, along with other groups who will continue the fight for real reform. And though there is so much work to do, this one hopeful little spark has me moving a little lighter this morning.
Love the passion...powerful important work.
ReplyDeleteI love the feisty tone of this poem, Rosemary. The news of the verdict in the George Floyd trial is a hopeful sign, agreed.
ReplyDeleteAll this activity! I'm energized for the day--and the future!
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope so. Sadly profit makers have no concern for such things and governments blind to the future.
ReplyDeleteLove the energy here Rosemary, the piece is infectiously energetic! Just got my April poem posted, so I am late getting around to read.
ReplyDeleteJam-packed with movement and excitement!
ReplyDelete