5 DFABW – Service

Today’s word is Service, and Laura wrote a great senryu poem (like a haiku) about serving. This line makes me smile: “hope is gravy.” I love that. I loved Irene’s story about her childhood in Folsom, Louisiana, where she joined a friend to work helping in the kitchen in a neighborhood convent. So many wonderful memories. The Dictionary for a Better World‘s challenge today is to look into service opportunities in our area. “Sign up and serve one shift, and see where it leads you,” the authors challenge.

A lifelong political independent, I have not gotten overly involved in politics throughout my life. I’ve always voted, but I haven’t campaigned or worked for candidates. However, that is going to change. I am aghast about where our country is heading via the Republican party. I have made a commitment to work on voter registration and some kind of campaigning or volunteering for local Democrats. I’ll update later when I learn more, but I have some calls out so far. Thanks for the inspiration, Irene.

in fear, cling to might
no matter who is marginalized
power: a wicked god

During each day in the months of August and September, I am responding to a different word from Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini. Today’s word is Service. A small group of people wanting to make the world a better place are reading and responding together. Join us! Visit Common Threads: Patchwork Prose and Verse by Kim Haynes Johnson for more information. Here is the word list I’ll be following for August and September.

One thought on “5 DFABW – Service

  1. Denise, I look so forward to your posts each day and am so thankful you are sharing your blogs here. I truly believe that these calls to action with each word throughout the book are life-enriching and stretch us to do good things that make a difference. That last line of your haiku is gripping – indeed, power is a wicked god, and we don’t have to look far in any direction to see it frothing and fermenting what was once fresh and pure. It takes hold quickly and corrupts. I’m happy that you are working for positive change through service.

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