Monday 21 January 2013

Inaugural Thoughts

You know, I may not be nationally known (and in the climate in this country, I'd rather NOT be, thank you!), but I DO know I could have written a MUCH better poem than the one showcased in the Inauguration! Maybe it's my English teacher snootiness coming out, but I haven't been too impressed by the poems that have been shared with the USA and the world recently.  Don't all kill me now, but that's just me! I am, to put it plainly, underwhelmed! 

Just as a poem, it did absolutely nothing for me. I love poetry (and I know I am in a minority in this!) but I think a poem for an Inauguration needs to be grand, in honor and recognition of the grandeur of the occasion. Which is not to say it can't be about ordinary things, and ordinary people, but you know, the best poets make the ordinary grand without too much effort!  And is there supposed to be some kind of time limit on the poem?  In other words, is it supposed to be five minutes long, even if it's the worst five minutes of the entire ceremony?  Good grief!!  The two "prayers" were unsatisfying to me as well. 

The music, however, was stellar!  The soloists were brilliant, and Brooklyn Tab...priceless!!  I did hear echoes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Mr. Obama's speech...and I approve, Mr. President! 

Maybe what I'll do the next time I have a minute is I'll write my version of an Inaugural poem, and then, if I'm really brave, I'll send it to the Chief! See if he and his lady would agree with me that I could have done a far better job of it! 

Tuesday 1 January 2013

In the beginning...

...rather than resolutions, how about these two?  They sound like a plan to me, especially given my situation at work, where I spend most of my weekdays.  I think I'm gonna run with them!

“Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.”  
― Kurt Vonnegut


“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”   ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

HAPPY NEW YEAR, MY LOVELIES!