~Mahalia Jackson
Happy Poetry Friday! A poem from the Poetry Foundation today. I've been known to praise imperfection now and then, haha.
At Church, I Tell My Mom She’s Singing Off-Key and She Says,
by Michael Frazier
I ain’t off-key. I just stepped out the key
so when I return,
you can understand the key a little bit better.
The preacher isn’t the only
teacher. Why hit a note on the head
when I can kill it? You mean to tell me
you come here week after week
and want the same old Amazing
Grace? Just cause the Blood will never lose its power
don’t mean a melody won’t.
My ministry may not be song, but I got a song
to sing. I done made it from Sunday
to Sunday. You expect me not to celebrate
and thank God, with my hands raised,
my flats off, my full and open
throat?
**************
Michael Frazier has a Persona writing prompt that might interest you.
Tangles and Tails has the Poetry Friday round-up. Thanks, Tracey!
9 comments:
Tabatha! Your Michael Frazier connection for us is fascinating. I followed thru to his further thoughts & then the bio & am looking more into him. Appreciations1
Tabetha, I love the humor and the creative use of the title in this poem! I enjoyed reading Michael Frazier’s writing prompts as well. Thank you for sharing!
Thoroughly enjoyed the mother's push back in this poem,Tabatha. Full of defiance, humour and self preservation. Feisty is a word that also comes to mind. I loved how Michael Frazier so totally captured the mother's voice. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for sharing this poem, Tabatha! I particularly like the long title. Thanks for the link to the prompts also.
Oh, my gosh, I love this, Tabatha--so sassy and true! My next book, LINE LEADS THE WAY, is a celebration of imperfection, and this poem resonates so much for me (especially as someone who "steps" off the key :>D )
Oooh, I love this one! I saw it the other day (Poem-a-Day, probably?) and saved it. So, don't be surprised if, with my amazing forgetfulness, I share it one day soon and act like I'm the one who discovered it, lol.
Thanks for the Frazier prompt too!
xo
Tabatha, what a great example of IMPERFECTION! Frazier's poem is so great. I would love to have the strength of character of that mother. Beautiful!
Love the Mom in this poem who knows just what she's about! The prompt from Frasier is a keeper, a good way into a persona poem. I will definitely revisit.
Powerful conviction in this poem Tabatha, it’s moving through body and soul, good prompt suggestions too, thanks!
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