Quiet
Sometimes
it takes a lot of loud
to be noticed.
Roar your truth
in a pride of lions.
Demand change
with signs and signatures.
Surge with the chanting crowd
and be heard.
However
you don’t need loud
to be strong.
Sing your truth
as confidently as a single wren.
Gently nudge change
to the tune of genuine smiles.
Harmonize in a chorus
of allies.
©Mary Lee Hahn, 2017
Sing It, Malvina!
April 1 -- Working for Change
April 2 -- A Lifetime Filled With Change
April 3 -- Red
April 4 -- Little Red Hen
April 5 -- Childhood Dreams
April 6 -- Lonely Child
April 7 -- Quiet
Irene has the Poetry Friday Roundup (and the next line of the Progressive Poem) today at Live Your Poem. Come back here tomorrow for the 8th line of the Progressive Poem!
I love "Sing your truth
ReplyDeleteas confidently as a single wren," Mary Lee. Sing it, Mary Lee!
This one speaks to me, Mary Lee. Sometimes, I don't have the energy to be loud. Your poem is a great reminder that quiet can be another form of strength.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful poem , love every exquisite word, especially these concluding ones:
ReplyDelete"Gently nudge change
to the tune of genuine smiles.
Harmonize in a chorus
of allies."
Much needed words for our time.
I like that single wren. I'd like to sing with her.
ReplyDeleteSing your truth, always. :)
ReplyDeleteLove this. There is much to be said for quiet strength, perseverance and persistence in a society that rewards loud and brash.
ReplyDelete"However
ReplyDeleteyou don’t need loud
to be strong" - absolutely stirring, especially for those of us who often struggle to make ourselves heard in a world that's dominated by extroverts, loud voices and bigger than life personalities.
Mary Lee, this poem is so so wonderful a reminder that there are many ways to be strong and powerful. We live in a world with a lot of noise... and so often, that's all it is: NOISE. Give me the single wren singing any day over a flock of bluejays! xo
ReplyDeleteBoth are heard, both powerful. Point of view intrigues me, and often the two seek the same thing. I like this very much.
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful contrast in these two stanzas. Both are needed and welcome for change.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. As a participant in various marches over the years between the Vietnam War and now, this speaks to me the most: "Harmonize in a chorus
ReplyDeleteof allies." After marching there is always comfort taken from the fact that one is not alone.
"Harmonize in a chorus
ReplyDeleteof allies." That's exactly how I feel about Poetry Friday!
Your poems are celebrating a single person, but they are full of great advice for all of us. "Sing your truth as confidently as a single wren."
ReplyDeleteLove the song she sings, Quiet. The TV can be quiet. I never thought of it that way, appreciating it for being able to turn it off. Her song is an ode to quiet. Very poetic. Even more, though, I love your poem, Mary Lee.
ReplyDeleteYou've nudged a 'genuine smile' out of me that I hope will be part of the 'change' we are all wanting. This poetry series is amazing, Mary Lee. =)
ReplyDelete