Poem- "Praise Song For the Day" by Elizabeth Alexa

[Ms. Knarr]

Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander



Each day we go about our business,

walking past each other, catching each other's

eyes or not, about to speak or speaking.



All about us is noise. All about us is

noise and bramble, thorn and din, each

one of our ancestors on our tongues.



Someone is stitching up a hem, darning

a hole in a uniform, patching a tire,

repairing the things in need of repair.



Someone is trying to make music somewhere,

with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum,

with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.



A woman and her son wait for the bus.

A farmer considers the changing sky.

A teacher says, Take out your pencils. Begin.



We encounter each other in words, words

spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed,

words to consider, reconsider.



We cross dirt roads and highways that mark

the will of some one and then others, who said

I need to see what's on the other side.



I know there's something better down the road.

We need to find a place where we are safe.

We walk into that which we cannot yet see.





Say it plain: that many have died for this day.

Sing the names of the dead who brought us here,

who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges,



picked the cotton and the lettuce, built

brick by brick the glittering edifices

they would then keep clean and work inside of.



Praise song for struggle, praise song for the day.

Praise song for every hand-lettered sign,

the figuring-it-out at kitchen tables.



Some live by love thy neighbor as thyself,

others by first do no harm or take no more

than you need. What if the mightiest word is love?



Love beyond marital, filial, national,

love that casts a widening pool of light,

love with no need to pre-empt grievance.



In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air,

any thing can be made, any sentence begun.

On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,



praise song for walking forward in that light.



(Note: This poem was written for President Obama's Inauguration. Alexander read this poem at the historical event.)

[colleenpoling]

1. I think the overall meaning of Elizabeth Alexander's poem "Praise Song for the Day" is that words have a very strong meaning and that everything in life, even the simplest things have a deeper meaning that we might not be able to see. In this poem, Alexander is stating each action we take is defining another action and another, just like a chain of events. The world is full of movement everyday and conversations keep everything glued together and flowing smoothly. Today's world came about by single actions and individual's working together and I think Alexander is trying to show that in this poem and help us remember that one thing leads to another and even the smallest actions hold importance.

2. I enjoyed this poem very much because it really spoke of a lesson that is very true and people don't always think of. It made me think back to actions i have taken and what their impact could have been on others around me. She speaks with such power in this poem and it should really make other readers think of their actions they take in life and what have they done to impact others as well. It was a easy read, but got a point across and its a point that can speak to all of the world which i applaud. This poem was perfect to be read at the historical event of the first black president, Barack Obama's, Inauguration.

3. Questions:
1.In the fifth stanza, is there a deeper meaning in Alexander's use of innocent actions?
2.Does Alexander believe there is still evil in today's world? Or does she believe there's a positive deeper meaning to even negative actions?
3. When Elizabeth Alexander wrote this poem for Obama's Inauguration, do you think she was trying to focus on the historical event that Obama over came everything and represented the African American race in being America's first Black president?
4.What do you think Obama's reaction to this poem was?

[elineal]

1. My take on the meaning of this poem is different than Colleen's. I think Alexander is trying to tell us to be thankful to those who have died to get us to where we are today, specifically toward African Americans and their slave ancestors. She tells us in the beginning that everything is the same and always will be, but we still should be happy for the moment that was given to us by our ancestors.

2. I enjoyed to poem because it spoke truth and wasn't complex in telling it. She said we should be thankful for those who fought before us no matter what our life is and that has a deep meaning to me.

3.
(Answering 1) I do not think there are deeper meanings to these actions I think she is trying to use these everyday actions so that the poem relates to everybody.

4. Do you think the poem is targeted toward one ethnicity?

[briannashreve]

1. I agree with Eli about this poem. I think that the author wants us to appreciate the past, rather than be ashamed of it. I think because it was written for Obama's inauguration, it shows all that the African-Americans went through as a people. From being an enslaved peoples in the 19th century to being oppressed in the 20th century to eventually becoming the 44th president of the United States in the 21st century. It shows the amazing progression of the race.

2. I liked the poem. It was easy to understand, and it made me think about the past and how anything can be overcome. It was inspiring which is why I think it was an excellent choice of poem to be read at Obama's inauguration.

3. (Answer to Colleen's question 4)
I think Barack Obama would have felt proud when he heard the poem, that he was able to overcome the struggles of his ancestors.

My question: What does Alexander mean when she writes "Love beyond marital, filial, national"?

[karlpreisner]

1.I agree with Colleen. The poem is about how simple words and sayings contain many deep meanings, and each and every little, simple thing we do in life leads to another. Our life story is defined by every step we take.
2.I liked the poem. The language flowed smoothly in my mind as if my eyes were looking over a picture. It brought emotions of calm and peace because it describes how events lead to other events and that everything is important.
3.(answering Colleen #2) Alexander believes that every event that happens is extremely important, even if they are bad. Without the bad events, some very important events may have not happened.
Q:What is the significance of the last, lone, 1 line stanza? Do the words summarize the entire poem? Or do they create an entirely different idea?

[nickchiarello]

I disagree with Colleen and Eli. I think what Elizabeth Alexander's poem "Praise Song For the Day" is about our daily world. It seems that civilization is now progressed and everyone from different cultures has now combined into one society. No more segregation between white people and black people. When she mentions love in the air, I think Elizabeth Alexander is saying that there isn't hatred from all the discrimination about the African Americans anymore. We are now one society and it is just peace, love and happiness. Everyone has their own cultures and traditions on how to fix and create things like patching tires, wood carving etc. Now we can bring the traditions together and make the world a better place.

2. The poem was just decent. I agree with Karl on how the language flowed smoothly and how you could easily visualize pictures in your head while reading it. The poem was more of a relaxed and serene state of mind. It was as if all the bickering and quarreling over white and African American races were now over, and it was time to become one society. Almost as if we all were a big family, and we share our talents and traditions with each other. Hopefully, starting to make the world a better place.
3. Eli's question- I think the poem is directed towards all races. Elizabeth implies that love is in the air and that everyone seems calm and is just going about their day. White people and African Americans may pass and look at each other mentioned in stanza one. However, no racial name calling will happen anymore. Now we are one society for the racial discrimination stopped and we are all friends.
4. Do you think Elizabeth Alexander made this poem about society too perfect, or do you think in this time period when African American discrimination stopped that name calling and racial slurs were still being said?