Thursday, December 01, 2016

Poetry Friday: The Gift to Sing


James Weldon Johnson was a treasure. 

The Gift to Sing
James Weldon Johnson

Sometimes the mist overhangs my path,
And blackening clouds about me cling;
But, oh, I have a magic way
To turn the gloom to cheerful day—
I softly sing.

And if the way grows darker still,
Shadowed by Sorrow’s somber wing,
With glad defiance in my throat,
I pierce the darkness with a note,
And sing, and sing.

I brood not over the broken past,
Nor dread whatever time may bring;
No nights are dark, no days are long,
While in my heart there swells a song,
And I can sing.

~~~~~

The Poetry Friday round-up is at Wee Words for Wee Ones

9 comments:

Jane @ Raincity Librarian said...

A wonderful reminder that we all have the power to bring beauty and light into our surroundings, no matter how dark the times might be. Our voice is our power.

Tabatha said...

An excellent choice for someone who is up after having a nightmare! Thanks, Karen.

Brenda at FriendlyFairyTales said...

We should all sing more! I miss singing with my very young kids.

tanita✿davis said...

Oh. This. POEM.
I have a 1922 edition book called THE BOOK OF AMERICAN NEGRO POETRY, given to me by a lovely former English teacher in her eighties who attends my church. It is edited by James Weldon Johnston, and contains many of his and other Harlem Renaissance poets work. This was a marvelous choice for this morning, which I spent listening to a 90 minute CD of Advent music.

...with glad defiance in my throat,
I pierce the darkness with a note,
and sing, and sing.

jama said...

Thanks for sharing. So uplifting! Song as prayer, meditation, strength.

Bridget Magee said...

Oh, Karen, I am NO singer, but this poem makes me want to sing at the top of my voice. Thanks for sharing it today. =)

Mary Lee said...

Yes, yes, YES!

Diane Mayr said...

I live alone, so it's perfect for someone who sings made-up nonsense songs to the cat. All the time. Poor cat.

The Johnson poem is moving, but I'm sure the cat would disagree with his sentiments.

Unknown said...

Such hopeful note in that exuberance of voice and music.
Thank you for sharing this. Lifted me up today.