Tuesday
Jan202009
If I Planned Presidential Inaugurations
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 12:41PM | Mr Lady
I would have had someone read this poem, the same poem I have scribbled on scraps of paper and shoved into the back of each of my children's baby books, for one day far from now when I'm gone and they need strength.
By Audre Lorde, who keeps saving my life over and over again:
For Each of You
Be who you are and will be
learn to cherish
that boisterous Black Angel that drives you
up one day and down another
protecting the place where your power rises
running like hot blood
from the same source as your pain.
When you are hungry
learn to eat
whatever sustains you
until morning
but do not be misled by details
simply because you live them.
Do not let your head deny
your hands
any memory of what passes through them
nor your eyes nor your heart
everything can be used
except what is wasteful
(you will need to remember this
when you are accused of destruction).
Even when they are dangerous
examine the heart of those machines
which you hate
before you discard them
but do not mourn their lack of power
lest you be condemned
to relive them.
If you never learn to hate
you will never be lonely
enough to love easily
nor will you always be brave
although it does not grow any easier.
Do not pretend to convenient beliefs
even when they are righteous
you will never be able to defend your city
while shouting
Remember our sun
is not the most noteworthy star
only the nearest.
Respect whatever pain you bring back
from your dreaming
but do not look for new gods
in the sea
nor in any part of a rainbow.
Each time you love
love as deeply
as if it were
forever
only nothing is
eternal.
Speak proudly to your children
where ever you may find them
tell them
you are the offspring of slaves
and your mother was
a princess
in darkness.
Your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.
-President Barack Obama; Jan 20, 2009.
By Audre Lorde, who keeps saving my life over and over again:
For Each of You
Be who you are and will be
learn to cherish
that boisterous Black Angel that drives you
up one day and down another
protecting the place where your power rises
running like hot blood
from the same source as your pain.
When you are hungry
learn to eat
whatever sustains you
until morning
but do not be misled by details
simply because you live them.
Do not let your head deny
your hands
any memory of what passes through them
nor your eyes nor your heart
everything can be used
except what is wasteful
(you will need to remember this
when you are accused of destruction).
Even when they are dangerous
examine the heart of those machines
which you hate
before you discard them
but do not mourn their lack of power
lest you be condemned
to relive them.
If you never learn to hate
you will never be lonely
enough to love easily
nor will you always be brave
although it does not grow any easier.
Do not pretend to convenient beliefs
even when they are righteous
you will never be able to defend your city
while shouting
Remember our sun
is not the most noteworthy star
only the nearest.
Respect whatever pain you bring back
from your dreaming
but do not look for new gods
in the sea
nor in any part of a rainbow.
Each time you love
love as deeply
as if it were
forever
only nothing is
eternal.
Speak proudly to your children
where ever you may find them
tell them
you are the offspring of slaves
and your mother was
a princess
in darkness.
Your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.
-President Barack Obama; Jan 20, 2009.
Reader Comments (30)
Beautiful.
Maria wrote..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MommyMelee/~3/511870602/wordless-daddy-and-cow.html" rel="nofollow">wordless - daddy and cow
After reading up a little on her, I'm embarrassed to say I have never read her poetry. I will now though...she's amazing. Thanks for posting this. Any day is a good day, ESPECIALLY this one, to learn something new.
Matt wrote..http://redsparks.com/playpen/2009/01/19/dear-nap-please-stay-im-begging-you/" rel="nofollow">Dear Nap. Please Stay, I’m Begging You!
Amazing.
And I too loved that quote about 'your people will judge ...'
Let's hope President Obama can close a dark chapter of the world's history quickly, and open a new door to new hope.
1sttimedad wrote..http://1sttimedad.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/ok-obama-youre-up/" rel="nofollow">OK Obama, you’re up
I hate poetry. And that made me want to love it.
Zoeyjane wrote..http://mommyismoody.com/2009/01/19/on-vive/" rel="nofollow">On Vive
Love it.
Let's get this party started. Obama is such a badass!
Zak wrote..http://zakaryw.blogspot.com/2009/01/44th.html" rel="nofollow">44th
I like very much!
Jennifer wrote..http://injennifershead.com/?p=417" rel="nofollow">InaugObamination Day
<3
zeghsy wrote..http://zeghsy.blogspot.com/2009/01/president.html" rel="nofollow">the president
Love that!
That was amazing! That is now going into my kids' books.
That would have been infinitely better than the one that was read today, in my opinion.
thanks for sharing that hon
Jesus, have I not cried ENOUGH today?!?!? Beautiful. I am on a high today that I've never felt in my 28 years. I voted this man in, I voted for change, I voted and helped steer the course of history. I want to break out into song and dance and kiss everyone! I'm a goddamn Disney musical!! AMERICA, FUCK YEAH!!
Love love love to you and to all who believed xx
Lindsay wrote..http://www.whiskeyinmysippycup.com/2009/01/20/poem-for-a-presidenty/" rel="nofollow">If I Planned Presidential Inaugurations
Amazing.
Becky wrote..http://beckydrews.blogspot.com/2009/01/welcome-mr-president.html" rel="nofollow">Welcome, Mr. President
Wow, that's a good piece of writing. They should of used it instead of whatever that was that they went with. I almost avoided the whole thing but when I got in my car my radio had the poem on and like a car accident I had to pay attn.
Though the classiest thing about today was when Bush got heckled going up to the Deux. I thought that was a great way for the Dems to set the tone of the next 4 years.
Damn, Mr. Lady, that was gorgeous. Thank you for sharing.
I'm kinda thinking poetry like Where the Wild Things Are...
"And now", cried Max, "Let the wild rumpus start"
I'm looking forward to our future.
Chris O wrote..http://mycatatemybrain.blogspot.com/2009/01/as-we-look-forward.html" rel="nofollow">As We Look Forward
I loved it and I also loved how you captured the perfect quote!!!
Krystal wrote..http://mommysescape6.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/a-new-era/" rel="nofollow">A new era
That is a gorgeous poem. She is one of my favorites. Here's one for all mothers:
Now that I Am Forever with Child
How the days went
While you were blooming within me
I remember each upon each—
The swelling changed planes of my body—
And how you first fluttered, then jumped
And I thought it was my heart.
How the days wound down
And the turning of winter
I recall, with you growing heavy
Against the wind. I thought
Now her hands
Are formed, and her hair
Has started to curl
Now her teeth are done
Now she sneezes.
Then the seed opened.
I bore you one morning just before spring—
My head rang like a firey piston
My legs were towers between which
A new world was passing.
From then
I can only distinguish
One thread within running hours
You ... flowing through selves
Toward you.
MommyTime wrote..http://mommysmartini.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-tell-great-mom-from-lazy.html" rel="nofollow">How to Tell a Great Mom from a Lazy A$$
wow! That is an amazing poem, I believe every word of it. In a day which started off bright, (and needed too) on a day that holds so many promises, on such an important day/time in history, I thank you for keeping up in the positve mood, and thank you for sharing the lovely writing again. :)
super mama wrote..http://naturelovinsupermama.blogspot.com/2009/01/great-mommy-day.html" rel="nofollow">A Great "Mommy Day"....
That was lovely. Very poignant.
Tara R. wrote..http://ifmomsaysok.wordpress.com/2009/01/19/update-plagiarism/" rel="nofollow">UPDATE ~ Plagiarism
And just when I didn't think I could love you any more...
Momo Fali wrote..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Momo-Fali/~3/516113995/eyes-have-it.html" rel="nofollow">The Eyes Have It
Oh, I love Audre Lord. Which is special, because I usually only like poetry that rhymes. Especially limericks.
Maggie Garcia wrote..http://nannygarcia.blogspot.com/2009/01/desperation-laundry.html" rel="nofollow">Desperation Laundry
Audre Lorde is one of my all time favorites.
i'll have to read that again as it is late. always enjoy poetry, esp. one i can somewhat understand and don't need cliff notes for.
how about that inauguration eh? i couldn't make it and glad i didn't with kids. my sister said it was v. harsh weather and four layers didnt' protect her.
loved it all, can't believe it's happened already. i liked his quote that you included in your post. and i so enjoyed seeing the first lady up there!!
I'm speechless, bitch.
molly_g wrote..http://soapywater.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-not-to-write-christmas-letter.html" rel="nofollow">How Not To Write a Christmas Letter
Perfect.
flickrlovr wrote..http://idblogthat.net/2009/01/its-a-new-day/" rel="nofollow">It’s a new day.
It looks lovely, but my brain is toast. However the Obama quote at the end of your post is a killer, and for that I had to comment! What a great day...
Raging Dad wrote..http://ragingdad.net/2009/01/20/so-much-beauty-and-just-enough-time-to-figure-out-how-to-destroy-it/" rel="nofollow">So much beauty and just enough time to figure out how to destroy it
Lovely choice...
tracey wrote..http://tracey-justanothermommyblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/cheers.html" rel="nofollow">Cheers!
I have goosebumps...thank you for sharing that!
Beautiful, just beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
The Mad White Woman wrote..http://kimmisdiary.blogspot.com/2009/01/stomach-virus-strikes-again.html" rel="nofollow">Stomach Virus Strikes Again
That was beautiful. Thank you for sharing
i love her, too. and my crush on you gets bigger when I learn that you love her, too. damn girl, you're killing me.
mb wrote..http://blogmemama.blogspot.com/2009/01/random-thursday-tidbits_22.html" rel="nofollow">random thursday tidbits