All posts tagged poetry

Art Stop – “Acquainted”

One of my favorite poets has long since been American author, Robert Frost.  I was flipping through a collection of his work recently and ran across this set of prose that I don’t ever remember reading before.  It’s entitled “Acquainted With the Night” is stirs with words of recognition of what some call a “lady of the night.”  It’s such a somber, and yet not condemning, poem about a seemingly lonely person walking along town in the depth of evening.  Frost’s words remind me so much of the numbness I felt after finishing with a John and having to return back home alone.

“Acquainted With the Night” by Robert Frost

I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain — and back in rain.

I have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.

I have passed by the watchman on his beat

And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet

When far away an interrupted cry

Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;

And further still at an unearthly height,

One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.

I have been one acquainted with the night.

May this blog serve as an education to those who do not yet know or understand the atrocities of trafficking and may it serve as an encouragement to those who understand it all too well.

(Post originally written 8/10/12)

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by 9to20 on August 10, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by 9to20 on August 10, 2012

https://9to20.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/art-stop-acquainted/

Art Stop – “Pieces”

There’s so much healing that can come from both creative expression and experiencing art.  Numerous studies about art integrated into aftercare facilities, rehab programs and counseling have been done. (Find out a bit more here.)  However, simply speaking from a personal standpoint I know that these ways of communicating have been vital to my growth– whether it’s a song I listen to or sketch I draw, it’s been helpful.  For this reason I would like to take a pause from normal blog entries on Fridays (from now until whenever) to share pieces of creative expression that I’ve come across and thought helpful.

I would like nothing more than for this to be an interactive forum, so please participate!  Email in art that you’ve come across or that you yourself have created.  Maybe it’s a touching painting your child crafted or a new song on the radio.  It doesn’t all have to be happy and it doesn’t all have to be good, it just have to be “real”… what I’m looking to share here is authenticity!  Feel free as well to send in great organizations who you find out facilitating great healing with great art.  This can be schools, safe houses, income generating jewelry projects, etc.  If you find something interesting, email it in or leave a comment on a Friday post and let’s start sharing.  (Also, feel free to utilize the Facebook page if that’s easier!)

To get us started off I’d like to share… “Pieces” (a powerful spoken word by a dear friend of mine who, alongside his beautiful wife, does some amazing work).

If the video does not appear, please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lVkmUs8yPI

May this blog serve as an education to those who do not yet know or understand the atrocities of trafficking and may it serve as an encouragement to those who understand it all too well.

(Post originally written 3/7/12)
2 Comments
by 9to20 on March 9, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Art Stop, Human Sex Trafficking, Human Trafficking
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Posted by 9to20 on March 9, 2012

https://9to20.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/art-stop-pieces/

Introductions

Oh shoot!  I flip through the book to find where I left off and remember how I’d dog-eared the page from my read before.  I hate that I do that, I really do need to find a bookmark… pulling open my nightstand drawer I start to rummage.  There’s got to be something in here I could use.  An old hospital bracelet?  No, that’s not a pleasant memory.  An empty penny rolling sleeve?  No, money stresses me out. Ah, here we go… I found a folded piece of white paper about the size of a business card.  I’m not a fancy person, so this’ll do.  I almost didn’t stop to open up the paper at all, and then I did.

In this note was scrawled a messy version of a poem I’d written maybe two years ago.  I had completely forgotten that I’d even written it.  Like my new bookmark, it’s nothing fancy but I thought I’d share it.  The verse is me reflecting about the many times I found myself hiding in a closet and how God met me there before I even realized He existed. (Read a blog post about that closet here.)

“Introductions”
You knew MY name,
I only then knew your VOICE.
 
You gave me everything,
spared me from so much– I can at minimum give you me.
Now that I at least know what people call you…
 
Has it really been you all along?
Have you been “the one”?
Have those been your arms holding me,
comforting me?
 
I bet it was you that day…
when I fell to the ground,
when I was in pain,
when I wanted to be weak,
when I heard a voice telling me to fight… not to give up.
 
I bet it was you.
I know it was you,
because I recognized your voice.
 
And now we both know each other’s names.
So I have to say,
It’s just really nice to meet you.
 

May this blog serve as an education to those who do not yet know or understand the atrocities of trafficking and may it serve as an encouragement to those who understand it all too well.

(Post originally written 3/6/12)
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by 9to20 on March 7, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking
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Posted by 9to20 on March 7, 2012

https://9to20.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/introductions/