Monday, 2018 \u00a0\u2014 January 1 \u2013 Poem for the turning of the year<\/p>\n
Mary Ann Buckley, a soul friend of 40 years, wrote me on December 31 to introduce me to this lean and understated poem written by \u201ca young Afro-American man in prison.\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0A good way to begin 2018\u2019s work year. \u00a0 Here\u2019s Mary Ann\u2019s cover note.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi, John. It was good to hear from you and thanks for the poems. Here\u2019s one by a young Afro-American man in prison \u2014 from a web-site connected with an organization that teaches literacy to prisoners. I met the director of the organization in November when she was among those honored by the Library of Congress for their work to promote literacy. I was there because our school in the Dominican Republic was also honored, and it turned out that her mother was taught by our sisters [i.e., Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus]. She\u2019s started sending me her blog which includes some poetry by the prisoners she helps.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you read the poem out you may notice that each line works best with a pause. \u00a0Short lines, short pauses create a cadence, which is the poet\u2019s intent I think.<\/p>\n
Happy New Year, \u00a0work day 1.<\/p>\n
john sj<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s Post\u00a0\u2014 \u00a0\u201cChanging Ways\u201d<\/p>\n
No New Year\u2019s resolution for me
\nNo crying decree
\nNo promises, just average changes
\nLess time stressing<\/p>\n
More time working out
\nLess time talking
\nMore time learning<\/p>\n
Not so many haters
\nA few more friends
\nNot so much sadness
\nA little more happiness<\/p>\n
Less weakness
\nMore strength
\nLess Sleeping
\nMore thinking<\/p>\n
Change after all\u2026is good
\nChange after all
\nIs all I know<\/p>\n
By VB,\u00a0 September 1, 2015<\/p>\n
In\u00a0\u00a0http:\/\/freemindsbookclub.org\/changing-ways<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Monday, 2018 \u00a0\u2014 January 1 \u2013 Poem for the turning of the year Mary Ann Buckley, a soul friend of 40 years, wrote me on December 31 to introduce me to this lean and understated poem written by \u201ca young … Continue reading