Calling All Poets

I learned about the challenge below on This Mom's blog. I've already got poetic lines curling around my ears and heart. Consider yourself invited to spin lines of poetry, too.

I find this especially meaningful in light of today's report from the Iraq Study Group, about which I just heard on NPR. While listening, I also listened in on this story on Here and Now about Dr. Abdul Sattar Jawad, a former newspaper editor in Iraq and a dean at a Baghdad university. He's now teaching at Duke as part of the Scholars at Risk program, where he is researching T.S. Eliot and translating Shakesperean sonnets into Arabic.

Dr. Jawad speaks of how poerty is very close to him now and quotes a line of Eliot's The Wasteland, and brings it home to the Tigris river, which, he says, "is no more singing. It is, you see, sweating oil and tar, and you see the bodies of the tortured and murdered people floating in the river.

"I'm longing - living in nostalgia - to see my country, my Baghdad rising up again... We have to terminate this cycle of violence and hate."

Take a listen.

Sigh.

And if you choose to write a poem for the Iraqi people (whether or not you choose to submit), I'd love to know.  And perhaps we can share our works on the Story Midwife gallery.

__________________________________________

The Challenge: Write a poem for the Iraqi People, something that you want to express to their citizens.

Deadline:  Extended to May 2007

Who: Anyone, any age can write a poem and submit it to be included into The Gift of Words: Poetry for the Iraqi People

Fruition: Poems will be translated in Arabic, put into a booklet and sent to Iraq.

Gift of Words, c/o Cynthia Bryant- Poet Laureate of Pleasanton, PO Box 520, Pleasanton, CA 94566 or [email protected]  if you do have email. Be sure to include your contact information and age (if you like).

Comments

[Shannon]

I'm liking this color scheme the most

[cathleenmedina]

Trish, I really like the photo, the colors, and your invitation to speak to and for our sisters and brothers in Iraq. Thank you! Advent blessings of all colors, Cathleen

[Bette Wappner]

Hearing Dr. Jawad's voice in the audio interview clip you provide above is very moving, Trish. How wonderful his passion to teach and translate Western literary arts and to promote freedom of ideas while his homeland is being stripped of freedom and of life.

I will join Dr. Jawad in his quest for peace by trying to work on a poem to submit. The good thing is that I have thru April to work on it.

Thank you for bringing this message to us to give A Gift Of Words that will be a part of a printed anthology! Perhaps my children will be inspired to write a poem as well. It is also their future.

I imagine that your Sammy has a gift of words in his heart.

Peace and hug,
Bette.
ps...love your blog colours!

[Shawna R. B. Atteberry]

Welcome to RevGals. That is a great idea. Your title is absolutely breathtaking.

[Stacey]

Just stopping by to say hello and welcome to the RevGals! I love your title and the wintry blog look.

[Kievas Fargo]

I'm poetically challenged at the moment, but welcome to RGBP--from one new member to another!

[Leah]

Welcome to RGBP! I'm new too, subject of the previous [subliminal] Meet 'n' Greet. Hey, you and I both know Karla Grauberger!!!!! I met her on the old, now defunct UCC online forums; we talk on the phone whenever possible and she's linked me to The River's Voice, which I love everything about. In fact, just this morning Karla sent me a beautiful River's Voice ecard. Many blessings from San Diego! PS wonderful blog banner photograph.

[Deb Vaughn]

welcome to RGBPs! You inspire with with your artistry.

:)
d

[revabi]

Now this is a challange. But last night I had the thought that I wish I had a way of letting them know how I feel.

[Sacred Art of Living]

Trish, just wanted to formally welcome you to RGBP now that you have been introduced! Delighted we could connect long before...I am loving your Behold CD.
Blessings, Christine

[SGT KIm Pratt]

I was really impressed and drawn in by so much of your blog until I came across this "poetry challenge" you had here for the Iraqi people. While I am not against the Iraqi people in any way shape or form, I think as an American, it would also be good to let the soldiers who protect your very freedoms to write blogs such as yours, know that you appreciate them as well. My unit is in Iraq right now fighting and dying for the freedoms of the Iraqi people. We are Military Police Officers trying to "uncorrupt" their ways so the people can live without fear... Yet who do you glorify? The Iraqis. How many of your own kind ~ my brothers and sisters, have died - Have come home in flag draped coffins? Or without arms or legs? PTSD? You don't know, do you? I guess it's more popular to speak of "helping and supporting" the Iraqi poople. God Bless You as I feel you THINK you are on the right path... Take a closer look young lady.

SGT Pratt
U.S. Army
MP Corps

[SGT KIm Pratt]

Merry Christmas....