The Power of Pictures and Words.

I have a problem. It's paper. There is too much of it in my home. In an effort to reduce the eternal pile I often pick up pieces of printed debris, of any sort, from the table tops to the floor, in order to make an emotionless decision as to its fate that day. During one such flurry, I read about the picture above. This isn't my image, but I understand, from 'The Big Issue', (that I had just picked up too quickly browse through before recycling), that it went viral at the end of March after being posted on Twitter. According to the Editor, the tweet explained how this boy had lost his mother in an attack in Iraq. He missed her so much that he drew a picture of her beside him and lay against it to sleep at night. Perhaps it is the mother in me but I wept at the thought sporn from the words, let alone the actual picture which I took a moment to find on the page. The editor's point, however, was that 'If this picture tells a human and horrific narrative in a simple, quiet way, then it has done a job more powerful than the well-meaning but ultimately futile visits to these places by princes and senior politician's wives. We have voices and we can make our voices heard.' (p.3 Apr 1-7, 3013. No.1045). This led me to thinking about poetry and doodles. Powerful messages can be evoked with the simplest of words. Result of today's paper tidying frenzy: I feel, as a poet, greatly encouraged, and 'The Big Issue', saved from the fate of the recycling bin, and held in greater reverence from one swift moment to the next, currently sits on my table to allow the power from the words and picture to digest slowly in my mind.

Thy Will be Done.

I've finally grown up and done it. I am making my will, ('Thy WILL be done' - get it? Do you see what I did there??), including the crafting of my letter of wishes. I am including some poems that I have written to be read out at my funeral. What an emotional process! To re-read a poem that you have written means that you re-connect with the emotions that were present at the time of writing. Nevertheless, I have to admit that I found it quite releasing as it afforded me an unexpected sense of freedom. (Or, at this point, do I have to be honest and admit that it is the sense of control from the 'other side' that has given me this edge? Oh, the continuous humbling journey we are on!). I'd include the poems here, but then that would spoil the surprise now wouldn't it? ;o)

Spoken Word Inspiration

Look What I've found via Linkedin: Binge. A site where poets upload spoken word videos. Included is a Spoken Word / Motivational Channel for a 'Speak Up' contest that promotes the use of spoken word videos that share knowledge and wisdom without glorifying violence, ignorance, and negativity. Here is Shane Romero with his entry. Sign up and 'Like' if you want to help him in the competition via this link.

On scrolling around I found the Faith category of uploads and found this gem by Eric Nixon. A powerful testimony of his struggles through life and finding Christ. Touchingly the filming of his testimony turns into a testimony itself. Watch and see.

Here also is a video from another of my favourite sites: www.ted.com. Here is Shane Koyczan as a performance poet delivering a powerful poem accompanied by art on the subject of his youth and bullying.