For We Write Poems Prompt #124: Epistle Poem (a letter)
http://wewritepoems.wordpress.com/
And for Musical Notes Prompt #8
http://1sojournal.wordpress.com/
A Thank You Note To Katniss Everdeen
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten
that we belong to each other.
~Mother Teresa
For helping us remember
that the old songs
often hold deepest truths,
may soothe wounded souls,
and can heal lingering,
long forgotten scars.
That separate voices raised
together as one
can bring and give
gifts to the children
of the world,
promising
a brighter day.
Elizabeth Crawford 9/26/12
Notes: Inspiration came from The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
and the song We Are The World written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzDCBgJLhYw
Soul's Music 
I have not yet read more than reviews to the books or movies of this series. Your verse makes me curious…I did listen to the music, and might offer up something previously written (tomorrow)/
My letter was to a family member:
http://julesgemsandstuff.blogspot.com/2012/09/wwp-prompt-124-oh-dear.html
Thanks Jules. I liked the books, got very caught up in the story. It’s a hero’s journey with a female lead. It is futuristic, but based in definite points of history (we don’t learn very quickly). Hope we see you tomorrow,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
This reads like a prayer.
Viv, thank you. Might be because of the song, which I think of as a sort of prayer. The poem is more of a hoped-for legacy. I think when you sing with someone, you create a different kind of bond and strong memories.
Elizabeth
LikeLike
This makes me want to read the series. It is very insipring and hope-inducing.
Andra, the three books are easy to read, but also quite violent in an overall manner. I enjoyed them, got caught up in the story, the main character being Katniss Everdeen who is hijacked from her home and family and must pit her wits against the political agendas of two opposing forces. She is supposed to be no more than a pawn. However, there is a sub-theme that runs through all three books that has to do with the songs she learned as a child from her father, and they do play a healing role in her ongoing experience. I offer musical poetry prompts on another blog site and, this week, happened to choose an old song that has some very personal meaning to me. I liked the way the two prompts seemed to mesh and inspired this poem. Thanks so much for reading,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
F amiliar only with the movie, not the book, I’m suppose this is more appropriate to the latter, as I thought the movie was junk. Your poem, however with its lilting and incantatory nature is marvelous. Thanks.
Ron, I watched the movie twice and decided to read the three books. The movie only covers the first book in the trilogy. Because music has always been a primary motivator in my own life experience, I latched onto that sub-theme about the songs Katniss learned from her father, among a great many other things. I learned to love both music and nature from my own father, so although the poem fit both prompts, its message comes from my own personal experience. Thanks so much for the visit and your very generous words,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
I love the song We Are the World. And love your poem, too, especially bringing gifts to the children to promise them a better day. Wonderful, Elizabeth!
Hi Sherry, this song has a lot of personal meaning for me and I love the video, so many of my favorites participated. We are all children of the world and when we give to one another, we finally begin to live life fully. Thanks for your comments,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
I too love the “old songs” and am so glad that so many contemporary artists are reviving them in their own way. Your poem poured a splash of joy in my heart… what more could one ask! Have you ever heard of Sahara Sunday Spain (is that a great name or what?)…. At the ripe old age of 9 years she had a book of poems and illustrations published that were remarkable. Your poem reminds me of her. She wrote that “every person in the world is too dark without love.” You captured the very essence of what she meant. Thank you!
No Julie, thank you. I went looking for and found Sahara Sunday Spain (yes, a wonderful name and awakening poetry). My thirteen year old granddaughter recently shared a poem, with me, that she had written. It was full of thirteen year old angst, and alive with feelings and images that only she could create. I watched her eyes light up as I told her how powerful and great it was because it was spoken with such direct honesty and feeling. It is said that a child shall lead us. I have always believed that it is far better to just let them speak, rather than to teach them how to do it correctly. I’m fairly certain that has silenced many more than encouraged them.
Elizabeth
LikeLike
I constant have music playing in my head, when I’m not listening to it or concentrating on something else…I became enchanted with it when I was a little girl and my parents would listen to the radio (especially old school country). Music has gotten me through the worst times of my life. And music inspires a good percentage of my poems.
I have never seen or read The Hunger Games books, but I know a little about the story. It is amazing how music has the power to impart strength and hope. Bravo for the poem.
-Nicole
Nicole, I often awaken with song lyrics running through my head and can tell how my day will go, or what it might encompass by the words of the song and its essential spirit. Its been going on for as long as I can remember and I thought everyone had that experience, lol. I truly think I could write my entire biography with nothing but song lyrics (Wow! What a thought and project that would be, but so much fun, yes?) It is the reason I decided to start doing the Musical Notes Poetry Prompts. This week’s song and the books collided and I’m so glad that they did. Years ago, I took a hospice training course. In a film, we watched one night, a young woman (singer and musician) sang a song she had written (she was dying of cancer). In it she said, “Help me to learn how to die and I will teach you how to live.” I have never forgotten her words because I believe they are true. Thanks for the visit,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
A beautiful poem with thoughts we can all appreciate. I very much enjoyed your prompt, and hope to join in again.
Thank you so much Misky and I certainly hope you do,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
Lovely poem. I am not familiar with any references here, but I loved the writing.
Thank you for that really nice compliment. It gave me a smile.
Elizabeth
LikeLike