She's not dead. You can't beat birthday.
Mairead
On Thu, 7 Jun 2001, Candice Ward wrote:
>
> In the meantime (yes, isn't it), in honor of the anniversary of Mizz Gwen's
> birth today (I can't bring myself to call it her birthday under the
> circumstances--it just seems tactless--and there otter be another term for
> the birthday of somebody who's dead anyway), have a squidge at Warpland, all
> yez out there in Woofland--Candice
>
> It does give new meaning to "many happy returns, though, I must admit....
>
>
> ____________
> >
> > THE SECOND SERMON ON THE WARPLAND
> >
> >
> > 1.
> > This is the urgency: Live!
> > and have your blooming in the noise of the whirlwind.
> >
> > 2.
> > Salve salvage in the spin.
> > Endorse the splendor splashes;
> > stylize the flawed utility;
> > prop a malign or failing light--
> > but know the whirlwind is our commonwealth.
> > Not the easy man, who rides above them all,
> > not the jumbo brigand,
> > not the pet bird of poets, that sweetest sonnet,
> > shall straddle the whirlwind.
> > Nevertheless, live.
> >
> > 3.
> > All about are the cold places,
> > all about are the pushmen and jeopardy, theft--
> > all about are the stormers and scramblers, but
> > what must our Season be, which starts from Fear?
> > Live and go out.
> > Define and
> > medicate the whirlwind.
> >
> > 4.
> > The time
> > cracks into furious flower. Lifts its face
> > all unashamed. And sways in wicked grace.
> > Whose half-black hands assemble oranges
> > is tom-tom hearted
> > (goes in bearing oranges and boom).
> > And there are bells for orphans--
> > and red and shriek and sheen.
> > A garbageman is dignified
> > as any diplomat.
> > Big Bessie's feet hurt like nobody's business,
> > but she stands--bigly--under the unruly scrutiny, stands in the wild weed.
> >
> > In the wild weed
> > she is a citizen,
> > and is a moment of highest quality; admirable.
> >
> > It is lonesome, yes. For we are the last of the loud.
> > Nevertheless, live.
> >
> > Conduct your blooming in the noise and whip of the whirlwind.
> >
> > --Gwendolyn Brooks, from *In the Mecca*, 1968
>
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