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This Amazing Spoken Word Poetry Wedding Vow Will Wow You!

by | Mar 29, 2015 | Gather 'Round, Poetry

 

I don’t know how many times I said WOW while watching this, but it was a lot.
I just love her style, the sincerity and force of her words, her hair, the way he obviously really appreciates the talents of his wife, the way she’s clearly comfortable to be fully in her element with him, and the jazz and social references, too.  (If you’ve been working through our Jazz Composers collection, you will notice many familiar jazz references!)

Good news: you can share this with your kids!  It’s a good introduction to spoken word poetry, and beautifully, powerfully done.

I’ve recently become a fan of spoken word poetry, and I think it’s really, really cool to see it used this way.  Tell me what you think in the comments.

[mashshare]

Something to Memorize when Things are Tough

by | Mar 8, 2015 | Poetry

I saw this and felt it was so peaceful and worth sharing.  I don’t know if it’s technically a poem (what *does* make something technically a poem, anyhow?), or perhaps it is a “meditation.”  Either way, it’s lovely and I wanted to share it with you.

“Let nothing upset you,
Let nothing startle you.
All things pass;
God does not change.
Patience wins all it seeks.
Whoever has God lacks nothing:
God alone is enough.”

~Teresa of Avila

Poetry Sunday: Hold Fast Your Dreams

by | Feb 22, 2015 | Poetry

Hold Fast Your Dreams

by Louise Driscoll

Hold fast your dreams!

Within your heart

Keep one still, secret spot

Where dreams may go,

And sheltered so,

May thrive and grow–

Where doubt and fear are not.

Oh, keep a place apart

Within your heart,

For little dreams to go.

Poetry from Rod McKuen

by | Feb 8, 2015 | Poetry

Back when I was in high school, I somehow discovered my mom’s collection of Rod McKuen poetry.  She shared her books with me, and his beautiful words got into my heart and mind and never left.

 

Over the years I’ve gathered up a few more of his books (you can only get them from used book stores now) and I still love his poetry.

 

Rod McKuen died recently at the age of 81.  He had over 200 albums and more than 30 collections of poetry.  Today I’m going to share just a couple for you.

 

An Outstretched Hand 

for Jay Allen

by Rod McKuen

 

Each of us was made by God

and some of us grew tall.

Others stood out in the wind

their branches bent and fell.

Those of us who walk in light

must help the ones in darkness up.

For that’s what life is all about

and love is all there is to life.

 

Each of us was made by God

beautiful in His mind’s eye.

Those of us that turned out sound

should look across our shoulders once

and help the weak ones to their feet.

 

It only takes an outstretched hand.

 

 

For My Son

by Rod McKuen

 

Watching children grow

is like threatening the ivy

to climb the garden wall.

You wait for it to happen

you hurry it along with love.

But still you’re disappointed

at giving someone life enough

to walk off on their own

and not be carried in your arms.

You never turn your back—not once,

and yet one day they’ve grown apart

or taller.

It’s all the same.

 

Polly put the kettle on we’ll all have tea.

Giving love to children

has made us older overnight.

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