Welcome to Tahoma West and UWT’s “People’s Poem” Project
Welcome to Tahoma West and UWT’s “People’s Poem” Project.
If you’ve made it this far, you must be interested, or at least curious, about contributing to this project. Of course, we hope you do!
So now that you’re here, here’s what you can do…
The first line of the collaborative poem started by Kwame Dawes is below. Read it, think about it, and write a second line to go with it—however you read “it.” Then paste your second line in the “comments” box below and upload it to the board. That’s it! Hopefully the board below will grow and grow to represent the many different voices that make up our great UWT community. You are, of course, free to submit more than once if you have different ideas. We just ask that they be separate posts, since this is a collaborative project, we’re not looking for longer, fully fleshed out poems (though by all means write them for yourself if the inspiration moves you).
Before you submit your “second” line, the only things we ask are that you:
- Write it in good faith and in the desire to contribute to the artistic and civic minded goals of the project
- Sign it and make sure your name is included (Be proud!)
- Really, Really, only submit one line at a time to continue from the original first line (but again, feel free to post more than one “second” line if you want)
The Tahoma West board will be open for live posts (or even just reading) through the end of the day on Monday, and at the conclusion of the project, Janie Miller, our poetry professor, will review the posts and edit the submissions down to form a single, UWT collaborative poem that will be shared with the campus community next week and also be published in the 2013 issue of Tahoma West.
Now go for it!
Here’s the first line:
Say “nation”. In the wake of quarrels, say “hope”.
Envision common ground amid fields of difference.
Wake up, and strengthen what remains
NOW is always the time and always has been to show the strength to make change.
It is our job, as a community, to come together
Say “hope.” In the wake of peace, say “everlasting”.
Imagine “prosperity.” In pursuit, remember “justice.”
Raise your own bar. Others will see. Others might follow.
In the fog of division, aim for equity.
It’s all that remains.
Sing “education”. In the wake of promise, call out “hope”.
Stay together. When separated we fall.
Life is hard. Misunderstandings many. Draw strength
Fear shall not paralyze;
strength is grown from hearts united.
Be humble and listen carefully.
Be from where you have been.
In the wake of pain say, forgivenes, in the wake of fear say, courage.
for a state, staid more than by notion.
The steady shore is born of accord.
Sip on contentment, become drunk on happiness
Forget “perfection.” Remember “grace.”
Say prayers. Beautiful are the silent thoughts of many.
Stay United. As it is our Realm of Strength.
Then say nothing, and stand together.
Say Hey. Turn to the person next to you or behind you.Say HI!
Democracy requires participation.
Participation requires dialogue and reflection.
Democratic change requires activism and reflection.
bleed America, show your patriotism and pride
Lead others towards the good. With humility.
It’s time, to wake up and say hello. Time’s up.
Do not be distressed in what was, is, or will come.
In the strength of the people, say “rise”.
Say “love”. In the wake of division say “peace.”
Reach out to a spectrum of peace and bravery.
Anything can happen when you believe.
Perseverance-Change can happen in a second.
Audacious hopes that form a mountain of mustard seeds
Say “Peace”, Stand against divisiveness
For the sake of democracy, DEMAND change.
For the preservation of democracy, demand change.
For when conflict beckons, firm resolve must burst forth.
We face what others face, on this one shared Earth. Rise up.
Say “generation”. Each breath shared for eternity, say “together”.
Dream big and enjoy the little things.
In the wake of division, say ‘join together for a common purpose.’
I Believe, If we all Believe, we can be strong as a nation.
screaming patience, asleep, in a dream of oil. it stays loose, as they choose your noose and rope.
staring viper- rays shun; in waves, we cope.
Say “symbols.” when the power of sounds boil, pray for this show.
Gravitate amber compromise, sand, ore, coal, ignite.
Say “hope” in the time of despair, Say “love” in the time of loss.
Say “pride”. In the face of tyranny, shout “freedom”!
Be who you ought, allow not what is malicious.
I knit into the fabric of this nation the tears of mothers whose children have been lost to violence; my needles work the melancholy silver thread; the pattern means peace.
Larissa Bruner
Whisper “freedom”. In the ripples of change, chant “ours”.
When the voice of truth is unheard, may your actions say it louder.
1st choice submission
We move up, we move forward, we move on – enlight of a new inauguration the American Dream lives on!
2nd choice….
For the American Dream is afloat
on the sea, like tsunami debris….
Ethics, morals, and American Dreams quilt us together at the seams.
Spread “love”. In the midst of chaos, paint faith”
Be cognisant of what currently is, what that is leading too, and all that it can be
As freedom “reigns”, let us be thankful we are not “dry”.
Amidst the rubble, there is promise of a new day.
Say “home.” In the fog of belonging, say, “I do.”
Let’s create a new fate for the human race.
Speak well, but let our actions yell