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.