how to write
a protest poem
whittle a stick
scrub it across charcoal
rub two words together
until a spark ignites
blow on it,
no need for gasoline
break it down
add more words
keep going
until it glows
late into the night
say what must be said
nothing can put it out
speak truth to fire
- Mary Louise Peters
Invitation: ‘... until it glows...’
Follow Mary on her Substack (linked) - for more inspiration!
Mary Louise Peters calls Wisconsin home, is a Courage & Renewal® Facilitator, a member of WFOP and an international writing and critique group for women writers, and has worked as an educator/consultant at local, state and national levels.
Read more about her work at this (link).
We will meet for the Community Table Monday, May 12th at 4:30 PM ET. Contact us for information HERE.
Learn More About Circles of Courageous Commons HERE
Until it glows late in the night… the conflict is wreaking havoc in my gut.
My heart flutters, my gut gurgles and growls. Will the name calling end? Can we see it is not a zero-sum game. There is another way. Take a breath, listen, really listen. What is beneath the wave of anger? No fixing or saving or judging. Start with listening beyond the words. Maybe, we will hear the pain and grief. Maybe it is ours, too?
say what must be said
nothing can put it out
speak truth to fire
~ Mary Louise Peters
Instead of speaking truth to power, the typical message and call, Mary Louise Peters offers "speak truth to fire" after "say what must be said" and "nothing can put it out." I am compelled to consider and ask -- does speaking truth to the fire fan the flames of the fire (the conflict, the division, the societal fracture?) or possibly reduce the fire and eventually extinguish the fire? What is the way forward within this moment? What is the bridge that can be built together? Might silence, deep listening, and turning to wonder be part of this bridge...