Oh dear, Mairead--you hadn't heard? Sorry to be the bearer, and all
that--Candice
on 6/8/01 12:31 AM, Mairead Byrne at [log in to unmask] wrote:
> 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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