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Sunday, May 19, 2019

Praise Song for the Day – Interpretation

Praise nervous s sequester up For The Day November 26, 2012 This poem, Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander, is bingle of the most memorable poems that have been recited indoors the last 20 years. Immediately after President Obama was sworn into office, Elizabeth Alexander recited her poem to the masses that had gathitherd on that cold winter day in January. The piece is full of symbolism, with the tone being hopeful, enliven and thankful.The poem begins with a description of daily life which is filled with the daily grind of hard works individuals, often doing the work that drives this great nation of ourssmall businesses, blue-collar laborers, honorable professions such as teaching. The chance of coming together as a people in spite of our differences is expressed in basis of our words ( briary or smoothwords to consider, reconsider). From will to words to concrete results (e. g. , highways), we move with each many oppositewise ult and present.The boundary of a highway may inspire someone immediately to go further and see what else is viable, keeping hopeful aspirations alive by see(ing) whats on the other side. At the same time that we fear the uncertainties of the future (which also divides us), we can envision it in damage of its possibilities (We need to find a place where we are safe We walk into that which we can non besides see). I think she is trying to say that we should also honor the sacrifices of poor, immigrant laborers of the past who made our present reality realizable as well as the modern immigrant laborers who continue to build upon the dreams of their ancestors. Say it plain, that many have died for this day. carol the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the look edifices they would then keep clean and work at heart of) The resolution of conflicts between people has many routes. For families it may be figur ing it out at kitchen tables while other conflicts require political movements, struggle, and protest. This poem is a song of praise for such peaceful resolutions and for this historical inaugural day which would not have been possible without the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.The religious belief systems of different peoples that allow us to get along with other peoples differ in degree. The poem presents an even stronger concept of love that goes beyond Love thy neighbor as thy self, and even beyond marital, filial, national. Some believe the way to unity is to avoid being selfish, not hurting others, and treating others as you would your compatriots, your kin, or yourself. This poem suggests there is a love that extends beyond those whom we are well-known(prenominal) with to include a widening pool of light. Finally, in relation to the present day, there is a horse sense of the immense possibilities (any thing can be made, any sentence begun). This is contained in the wo rds that may inspire others to achieve that may bring such a love closer toward reality. From disunity (base on balls past each other) to blindly walking into that which we cannot yet see, this poem now suggests the alternative of walking forward in that light command by a new vision of a love that may unite us. I cerebrate on the symbolic element of the poem, because I liked the presentation and how it flowed.It made me think about how furthest weve come in this country. I believe that Elizabeth draws the reader into the poem just I was drawn, by suggesting that we as a nation that was literally built off the labor of slave labor and indentured servants, has evolved into a country that elected its first African-American President. Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues.Someone is stit ching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patch a tire, repairing the things in need of repair. Someone is trying to make music somewhere, with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum, with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice. A woman and her son wait for the bus. A farmer considers the changing sky. A teacher says, Take out your pencils. Begin. We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed, words to consider, reconsider. We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of some one and then others, who saidI need to see whats on the other side. I know theres something better down the road. We need to find a place where we are safe. We walk into that which we cannot yet see. Say it plain that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of. Praise song for struggle, praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign, the figuring-it-out at kitchen tables.Some live by love thy neighbor as thyself, others by first do no harm or take no more than you need. What if the mightiest word is love? Love beyond marital, filial, national, love that casts a widening pool of light, love with no need to pre-empt grievance. In todays sharp sparkle, this winter air, any thing can be made, any sentence begun. On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp, praise song for walking forward in that light. Alexander, E. (2009, Feb). Retrieved Nov 26, 2012, from Poetry Foundation. org http//www. poetryfoundation. org/poem/244896

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