It is autumn in the Midwest, such a favorite time of the year for me. I have lots of good memories from the nearly twenty years I lived in Iowa and Michigan. This weekend I got a taste of the fall again.
It was baby shower weekend for our family. My youngest is having her first baby in December. We all flew to Minneapolis and put on a big party! It was delightful. These two and their future baby are loved and supported in a special village; we are ready to help them raise this little one.
The day before was No Kings Day. There were scores of protests in the Minneapolis area, and we walked to the nearest one. I was wishing I was a photographer and could take portraits and interview individuals. I was struck with how American, how everyday, how beautiful each person was in their commitment to be there, to be in community, to protest what is going on in our government. These people were not “whacked out” at all, as our president described them.
Speaking of our president, I read some quotes this morning on neutrality. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “An individual who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.” Here is my poem for the day, a found poem using seven quotes about neutrality.
Which Side of History?
In situations of injustice
we must take sides.
Exploitation and oppression
demand speaking out the whole truth.
Washing one’s hands of the conflict
means to side with the powerful.
You can’t be neutral
in times of great moral conflict.
Lines from quotes by 1) Desmond Tutu, 2) Elie Wiesel, 3) Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, 4) Mahatma Gandhi, 5-6) Paulo Freire, 7) Howard Zinn, 8) Martin Luther King, Jr.
Read the full quotes here:
Denise,
Congratulations on your new grandchild!
And thank you for your poem holding us accountable:
“Exploitation and oppression
demand speaking out the whole truth.”
Denise, A new life brings joy and hope. Congratulations on your grandchild. It was wonderful seeing all of the people gathered in peace to protest what is happening in our country. Yes, doing nothing is like giving consent to things that are happening.
Thank-you for this slice. The milestone of the baby shower contrasted with the protesting. No Kings made me feel patriotic. Peaceful Protesting is one of the most wonderful aspects of the US. I’m a former teacher and did many stints in fifth grade (US History). My students reveled in learning about the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It’s precisely these moments in history that make these rights all the more powerful. Thank-you for this
Denise, first, congratulations on the already loved addition to your family. To bring a child into the world right now, maybe always, is an act of hope for the future of all people. Your “found” poems of powerful lines is a keeper for me. Yes, doing nothing is becoming part of the problem; however, I am not sure of the impact of Saturday at this time. Still, I am hopeful and optimistic even without a new baby on the way for my family!
Denise, I so enjoyed reading about your weekend. So filled with hope. A protest and a baby shower. Family all together. And fun to see that Minnesota squirrels carve pumpkins, like my VA squirrels do too! Love how you created a found poem. So inspiring idea you followed. And love the poem you created!
Denise, once again, I am so happy for you! You are truly so creative by weaving the lines of quotes from history into a found poem. And what a message it carries, too! I’m thrilled for your little one arriving soon – – this one will know grandma Denise made the world a better place!
Denise,
Love the found poem. Love that as I protested I knew you’d be there w/ me somewhere. I don’t understand those who say they’re against the orange regime and don’t march. I see protesting as a moral obligation.
I agree, Glenda. I think we had 5 million the first time and 7 million this time. What is the menace going to have to do to finally get 12 million out there, which may be the transformative 3.5% number. You know he’s going to lose, but at what cost? Yikes!
Your description of the mood, the energy of the No Kings II Day is precious and absolutely true. What a wonderful reason to travel, to celebrate the optimism that a new life brings with it. “Our president” (yuck, just using that phrase makes me a bit sick!) has no clue about the people he misrepresents. (Portland IS NOT under siege, unless the amphibians pose a threat?!) Thanks for sharing the Insta post from St. Stephens U.
Safe travels home.
A baby shower, protests, leaf raking… this post has it all, Denise! I adored the way you wove all of this together into one cohesive slice of life story. You gave us a window into your weekend world.
Congratulations on your new grandbaby! I’ve always enjoyed writing found poems. I have always written them from a single text. I like your gathering of quotes, and how each quote supplies a line in your poem.
Denise, your poem is powerful. I love the way you used lines from other authors to write your poem-and am left with this line bouncing around in my head…well, there is no ONE better line because they all speak volumes. As does your family gathering from around the country to support a new life-one we hope will grow up in a country that has found peace.