In the past month, a video has been circulating on social media of a young woman, Brittany Maynard, who has terminal brain cancer, and has moved to Oregon so that she can take her own life before the ravages of cancer cause her death. Here is her video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0eVum0weKg
Last week on Facebook, a family member of mine posted a video made by my cousin, Anne Roberts, who lost her battle to breast cancer about a year ago. Anne was a Facebook “friend”, and I was surprised that I had not seen this video before during the past year, posted by her, or by her sisters or mother, who are also my “friends”.
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What is the purpose of poetry? Why do we write in verse, when we could say directly what we have to say much more easily?
What has been said about the subject? I found the following quotes:
When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the areas of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses, for art establishes the basic human truths which must serve as the touchstones of our judgment. The artist, however faithful to his personal vision of reality, becomes the last champion of the individual mind and sensibility against an intrusive society and an officious state. The great artist is thus a solitary figure. He has, as Frost said, “a lover’s quarrel with the world.” In pursuing his perceptions of reality he must often sail against the currents of his time … John F Kennedy
Love Zonation!
So much bad news —–
Now, let’s focus on what’s good in these United States!
There are as many definitions of poetry as there are poets. Wordsworth defined poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings;” Emily Dickinson said, “If I read a book and it makes my body so cold no fire ever can warm me, I know that is poetry;” and Dylan Thomas defined poetry this way: “Poetry is what makes me laugh or cry or yawn, what makes my toenails twinkle, what makes me want to do this or that or nothing.”
FBI officials are reportedly investigating a beheading at an Oklahoma food distribution center after co-workers said the suspect tried to convert them to Islam after his recent conversion.
The alleged suspect, Alton Nolen, 30, was recently fired from Vaughn Foods in Moore prior to Thursday’s attack. Moore Police Sgt. Jeremy Lewis told KFOR that Nolen drove to the front of the business and struck a vehicle before walking inside. He then attacked Colleen Hufford, 54, stabbing her several times before severing her head. He also stabbed another woman at the plant, 43-year-old Traci Johnson.
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