For Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads "Open-Link Monday, " I have dredged up a poem written on the back of a flyer for a 1985 support vigil. I got the flyer at a Witness for Peace meeting I attended before the vigil to support volunteers who had been arrested for protesting US aid to the Contras who were trying to overthrow their Nicaraguan government and killing many civilians in the process. Whew. I am sure I learned more about Witness for Peace since. And I am not sure any of that background is important to this poem.
Witness.
Just watch.
Do not interfere and do not protest.
Stay with your partner.
Do not miss a thing on any side of the conflict.
Will this be boring? I wonder as if a
child in school one week before summer.
I know that witness makes learning crisper
and clearer and more effective
like a meditation that lifts my center to float
all seeing and then emitting quadraphonic sound
from all edges of the room until it is as if
I am no longer speaking, but Truth itself is
pouring through the transparent ceiling. Ha!
Careful, stop. Witness only. Do not speak.
Be on the earth and not in the air.
But I fear I am a chronological liar who embroiders
the facts with the romance of forgetfulness
and obscure associations across many planes of time.
I should write fiction. I panic.
But I fear I am a chronological liar who embroiders
the facts with the romance of forgetfulness
and obscure associations across many planes of time.
I should write fiction. I panic.
Witness. Watch. Remember. Do not interfere.
Born a teacher, I frown censor-like and within these restraints groan and grow committed, deeply rooted and accurate,
surefooted and owl-eyed with a twinkle--
the twinkle of one who, sure of her topic, watches resolve
ripple on the changing faces of the knowledge seekers,
the rainbow catchers, the flyer filers, and others like me.
This is our real school: listeners and watchers,
marchers and speakers. This is the school
of waiting for an opening or creating it, the school
of coaxing or demanding. It is the school of stand up
and act and be sure we have witnesses.
And school is never out.
Its been a long time since I have been in school but I can imagine a scene where knowledge and new things excite young minds, while teachers watch and speak on these issues. And in the bigger scheme of life, we are always learning something new ~ School is never out ~
ReplyDeleteLovely to imagine, isn't it.
Deletethis is our real school....i def like the last stanza and to me it speaks of not just being a spectator...in real school we learn facts, history but when we are in the moment we really can understand how it comes together...like the difference between reading history and living history you know...this school is never out.
ReplyDeleteThank you for you comment, Brian. Yes, this is Real World Learning and Project Based Learning all in one. In this school of life, many people know more than "the educated" do.
DeleteActually, I think I may rework this poem--or create another one starting with the last verse. Thanks.
DeleteSchool meh school of life yup, learnt more there... ;) Kewl write too
ReplyDeleteThank you. There are lots safer schools, but no better ones--well, except maybe if you want a job like "Doctor"--but even then a little on-the-job training helps.
DeleteYup that is so nice, school never leaves from mind....the second home.
ReplyDeletemmmmmm..."the second home"....I like that!
Deletecommitment is a hard thing and those who are sincerely committed to political ideals and values have a rare voice that is extremely unlike most of us.urs is a voice of that sort.keep the flame alive.
ReplyDeleteYou too: Keep the flame alive! Thank you!
DeleteYes, the school of life demands listening carefully. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteThank you for telling me about anonymous--I have deleted that message forever and I think your warning went with it. And thank you, too, for this clarity on my poem.
DeleteSounds like a very effective conflict resolution process.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2012/06/18/tucson-summer/
I went back to reread as if a conflict resolver, and see that this may well be effective! I would want more guidance from a mediator, but truly there is no mediator here, just witness.
DeleteHow difficult to stand and witness, without intervention or action. Yet knowing that just being there, a witness, has such value. I appreciated the background on this as well as your poetry. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Thank you! If I ever write about this again, I'll try to include one of those difficult moments.
DeleteNothing compares to experiences like these, they are of great importance when shaping out personal thoughts and values and make us pretty grateful for our existence regardless of if we were able to physically help out.. Great piece of writing Susan.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this insight.
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