Evening of Poetry Against the War Thoughtful Rally Ignites Passion Wednesday, February 12th, 2003

The solidarity of the anti-war movement has included teach-ins, rallies in 38 countries and on February 12th a day of poetry against the war. Poets have long been rooted in the peace and justice movement. Since the events of September 11, 2001 communities have responded with introspection, grief, protest and a renewed resolve towards action. St. Joan of Arc has been a base for Conversations On Peace as well as ongoing St. Joan of Arc/Women Against Military Madness activities. We are called to decide if we will allow this war to happen in our name. We are called to compare spending for military action against cuts in social service programs. These were some of the sentiments expressed at The Black Dog Cafe on February 12 for the 1st Annual Minnesota Poets Against War Reading.

How did this day of poetry against the war begin? First Lady Laura Bush invited American poets to a symposium at the White House to celebrate the poetry of Walt Whitman, Emily Dickenson and Langston Hughes. The event titled “Poetry and the American Voice” was designed to give prominence to the message of American Poets. Pushcart Prize winning poet Sam Hamill was scheduled to attend the White House Symposium. Hamill objects to the Bush Administration’s clamoring for war and he called out to poets to protest the war by re-forming Poets Against The War, a Vietnam War era grassroots peace organization. On January 28 he sent an open letter and e-mail to poets. He announced February 12 as a national day of poetry against the war and called for submissions to the Poets Against the War website. Hamill wanted the White House to truly hear the voice of American poets. In response to pressure from the Bush administration the First Lady cancelled the White House poetry event.

Minnesotans joined with other people in over 160 locations in a day of poetry against the war. The events were held internationally as an act of compassion for the people of Iraq and as a rallying cry of conscience. Minnesota poets, peace activists, students and concerned citizens showed their intent to act locally to affect global peace.

The Black Dog Cafe, which generously hosted the event, was packed by 7pm on February 12. A line of customers, seeking hot beverages, snaked out the Prince Street door. It was an eclectic coterie garbed in pink scarves, Wellstone buttons, and business suits. Peace buttons decorated children’s winter coats, student’s jean jackets and grandmother’s tweed coats. Richard Broderick announced the 1st Annual Minnesota Poets Against War reading. Richard thanked the gathered group for the quick response to the two week notice and the St. Paul Pioneer Press for the preview article. He stated that “this is a testimony to the depth of feelings to national events”. “All of the events” Broderick said, “were independently organized on a two week notice and representative of a truly grassroots movement.”

Poets Michael Dennis Browne, Thomas R. Smith, Margaret Hasse, Richard Broderick, Juliet Patterson, Robert Bly, Emilio DeGrazia, Frieda Gardener, Susu Jeffrey, Kate Green, John Minczeski, Chet Corey, Jim Linfesty, Joyce Sutphen, Tim Young, Mary Logue, Patricia Kirkpatrick, Tom Ruud, Emily Carter, Jim Larson, Julie Cox, Katie Lehman, Jim Moore, Barb Jones, Mike Finley, Bob Vild, Kate Kyser and John Wilson read at the event. Richard Broderick sent out invitations and many responded, on a short two week notice, and enthusiastically joined the event. The fire of this event was lit, for many, by Sam Hamill’s call to poets to lend their voices to the task of peacemaking. The First Lady’s poetry event cancellation cast a warning light for many poets. Minnesota poets have long been involved in the peace and justice movement. Some believe that the volume of this voice has decreased, in comparison to the 60s and 70s movement. Broderick was pleased that the Minnesota literary community came out in force for this event.

The lyrical protest began at 8 pm. The crowd had swelled to fill every seat, leaving the latecomers to stand where they could find room. References to Gandhi’s statement, “All the Gods are dead…except the God of War” and the true pretext of war began the dialogue. Pride in being American was highlighted as the reason we need to claim our constitutional rights and continue to say "not in our name." Broderick feels that “If we have any reason to be proud to be Americans; It is because people have turned out before a shot has been fired.” The visual of forming a human levy against the war as an international community was set as a backdrop to the poetic sentiments.

The Poems presented encouraged people to support peace to change lives. Poets called out recognition of ego, empire and resource exploitation. The question of The God of War vs. the God of Peace was thrown to the fired up crowd. The barren images of war were framed. The “stand up and keep fighting” spirit of Paul Wellstone shone as Thomas R. Smith painted a picture of black robed Wellstone yardsigns as a green requiem. Biting words reminded of sanctions that are eroding at an already fragile economy and quality of life in Iraq. Robert Bly(lower right) read and distributed copies of his poem “Call and Answer”. Bly’s words encouraged listeners to escape from silence.

The energy in the air at the Black Dog Cafe built as people listened intently. The words inspired us to cry out, respect the global family and to act with conscience. The image of the Taliban destroying the sacred Buddha and other historically important works of devout faith by war was thrown about. The crowd was reminded that today was Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and that perhaps he was truly a moral minded adult thinking president. The suggestion of a lack of “adult” presidents in recent years was made. Audience members reacted with affirmation to this comment. Poets encouraged us to think and react as the adults we are. How do we react as adults? What is our obligation to teach the children and leave the world a better place? These are questions we need to keep asking and answering every day as we stand for peace in our lives and throughout the world.

There was symbolic hope in the energy of the Day of Poetry Against the War. So much of what was read expressed desperation, rage and, in the end, a call to action. It was clear that many in the crowd were already moved and moving in action. Resilience and revolution was also abundant in the spirit of the room.

Nancy Emery has been a member of St. Joan of Arc since October 2002. She is a part-time caregiver at Grace House and works full-time in the field of deafness. She has crewed 8 AIDS Rides (Camp Services Rocks!) and joined Team Oz in 2002. Conversations On Peace is one of her favorite St. Joan of Arc activities.

Many of the poems read at The Black Dog Cafe, as well as thousands of others, can be found at www.poetsagainstthewar.org . As of February 12, before the national poetry reading, over 5000 poems were posted. By February 14 over 8300 poems had been posted. Richard Broderick, the Minnesota poetry reading organizer, has an online journal www.fifthcolumnmag.com . The March edition will include some of the poems read on February 12. The inspiring verse of resistance, passion, conscience, intercessions and response are well worth reading.

Jeanne Morales has been active at St. Joans for the past year. She loves working in her garden, attending the St. Joan of Arc Bible Study and sneaking off for camping trips when she has time. Jeanne can be reached at moralesj@Macalester.edu.

Peace!