Poetry is not news. It is not a comment upon it. Art does what art does, which is often a tricksy thing. — Pádraig Ó Tuama
You’re an artist if you create something! You’re an artist if you don’t see the worrld the way it is, if you hate white walls! No one else decides what art is, no one can stop you loving whatever you like, the cynics and critics can have control of all the other crap on the planet..but they can’t decide how hard your heart beats! Become whatever you want, but don’t become one of them. Art is a fragile enough light as it is. It can be blown out by a single sigh. Art needs friends, with our bodies against the wind and our hands cupped around the flame until it’s strong enough to burn brightly with its own power. Until it’s an inferno. Unstoppable. — Fredrik Backman
Welcome friends! Welcome all whose hands are cupped around the fragile flames of art and hope, activism and radical self-care.
What a world. I used to love rollercoasters. Now that I’m living inside of one, I don’t feel the need to go to a theme park.
But seriously, look at all the training opportunities we’re being provided. We’re learning over and over again how to stand up for what’s right. No longer do we assume government is working in our best interest, we’ve been trained to keep a close eye on what’s going on and be ready to pick up the phone or fill in the provided form to protect libraries, public lands, schools, and (still hopeful as I write this on July 2) funding that will keep nursing homes and rural hospitals open. We know now, more than ever, that We The People are the only ones who can save this country by working together in ways that feel new and unfamiliar, but which are completely (in all the best ways) HUMAN.
It’s messy right now, but let’s make a convoy and keep going.
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The image for my poem is via Unsplash.
A(nother) Year of Reading 
Mary Lee, Yes! This superhighway idea of our USA is keenly perfect & beautifully poetic for this situation we are in. I worry that many are burned up & out without practicing the radical self-care you wisely advise & practice. Our art in words & deeds convoy will keep going! With needed stops at Laughter, Love & Light. I appreciate this post so very much, with wishes that You & Yours find soothing sweet & sparkling moments this 4th of July, 2025 Weekend.
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Thank you, Jan, for adding fuel for our self-care in the form of your calm and vigilant gnomes!
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These lines really get me: “and the democracy of roadwork/ slows every vehicle/ to a crawl”
I watched the vote today…right up to the end. All the commentators prepared me for the inevitable. Yet, I held out hope. I’m taking to my craft table this afternoon. Paper, glue and a movie will help me escape.
A desire to be positive (that you were able to do in your ‘America,’ eluded me. That and a case of “I’m not up to this challenge” shivers sent me in search of other poems of protest. I was able to harvest lines from a bunch that worked out into a decent cento. It was good for me to read the words of others. It made me feel less alone today. Thanks for hosting and bringing your A game, Mary Lee.
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I know this was a hard challenge, so extra thanks for pushing through it to create your amazing cento. All those voices give me strength.
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“Wherever we are all heading,” powerful poem Mary Lee! We are here to route us out of this abyss and back on Democracy’s track, however long it takes, however dark it grows. Thanks for hosting today, and reminding us of what’s important!
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It feels like careening now more than ever! But we’ll carry on…together.
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So many apt and powerful words, Mary Lee — unfathomable, arrogantly, bruised, exhausted, oblivious, careen.
I feel exhausted by it all today but I appreciate your encouragement and rallying cry.
“You’re taking everyone somewhere, America.” You offer glimmers of hope that we can get somewhere together.
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Together is the key word, isn’t it?
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“Highway that stretches arrogantly.” Yep, Yep, Yep. Thank you for this poem.
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The arrogance is really getting under my last nerve. We need more humility and empathy.
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My GOSH, Cousin. That poem blows my hair back. Slipper, dangerous and oblivious is THE truth. And yet: the convoy is the best idea yet.
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High praise…thanks!
Poetry Friday is a convoy that never fails to FUEL my tank, rather than running me dry.
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Such a powerful poem, Mary Lee. The extended metaphor of the highway is perfect, and I so appreciate your passion. I can feel it in your words jumping off the page in protest.
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Thanks, Rose. This poem was born as we drove back to Columbus from a visit to the Dayton Art Institute.
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We live our lives with a degree of uncertainty, some more-so. Our world is decidedly unsettled right now and there is little argument as to the epicentre of this unwelcome social and political upheaval. The ripples are felt far from your uncertain shores, Mary Lee. Your poem speaks with words possessed of power and resonance. An eloquent depiction of deeply unsettling matters. Maintain your ethical resistance…
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Thanks for cheering us from across the pond. We might seem like we’re stuck a little inside our own heads right now, but we DO realize (with added pain) that what is happening here sends ripples and waves and tsunamis around the world. To go from being a country that tried its best to do as much good as possible wherever we could, to being one that is tearing the entire world apart…it’s hard to be an American right now…
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” the democracy of roadwork “ I love the whole metaphor of tie poem Mary Lee. In Lake Tahoe we speak of two seasons: winter and road work. It feels like out country now. Anna I have to be patient because flipping off crazy drivers isn’t very effective (even if it feels good at the time).
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Hah! I’m thinking our country right now is winter AND roadwork! What a cluster!
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Thank you for hosting today, Mary Lee. (And for picking up the challenge!) As others have said, your highway metaphor works so well. Yes, we are driving into a thunderstorm, but storms do end. Let’s work together to minimize the damage.
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Good reminder that storms end. And even if we no longer have FEMA, we will always have each other.
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Mary Lee, your (slippery, dangerous) heart is all over this post! Beautiful! Powerful! And YES to you-are-an-artist-if-you-are-making-something sentiment. Thank you. xo
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You might like Backman’s newest book MY FRIENDS. He digs deep into the themes around the power of art.
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I know we are now in that ‘thunderstorm’, Mary Lee, water puddling all around. Now it’s time to get out the boots and umbrellas and carry on. Thanks for your vision and for hosting this special day.
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Bring on the boots and umbrellas! With the proper equipment and attitude, we can access our inner toddler and STOMP in those puddles!!
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Where are we heading, Mary Lee? How do we change course? It has to be together. Only we can save us. Thanks for hosting! xoxo
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One step at a time…and lots of deep breathing!
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There is so much I love about this poem. From the arrogance to the lanes, “graded, but not paved.” You’ve richly described this terrible point in our history. Amazing.
Thanks for hosting!
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Thanks! It was fun to play with the extended metaphor!
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Mary Lee, it took me quite a while to write my blog post. it is late in coming but I feel confident that this post will move me to an action step. Your words are piercing but needed after the passing of the Big Beautiful Bill. What a shame that so many legislators were in favor of the action. Why? I am not sure.
“and the democracy of roadwork/ slows every vehicle/ to a crawl”-This is one of your stunning lines that should make people think seriously about what is happening in our govenment sector. Thank you for the inspiration to write my post.
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I’m honored to be your inspiration…but more than that, to remind you/me/us all that our words matter. Our poetry is an act of resistance. We must continue to write and speak in as many ways and as loudly as we personally are able to. Like you, writing and reading these poems of protest have given me the strength to carry on.
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Our words Matter! Yes!
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I love this rabble-rousing post and poem, Mary Lee. It gives me a tiny breath of illogical hope. It makes me feel enfolded into this community. Love the Backman quote, too. Thank you!
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Hope is SO illogical, and yet SO necessary. I agree with the feeling of being “enfolded into this community.” I’m glad I decided to host with this challenge. I felt less alone and powerless. Our art (our poetry) is our power.
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Mary Lee, Thank you for hosting. I am going to be reading and commenting, but not writing this week. My family was here from Thursday until this morning and I am drained but filled with love. While that’s not a protest, that is what we need more of right now.
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The selection of protest and praise poems is thought-provoking and timely, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of our nation. I recommend this resource for anyone looking to explore the intersection of poetry and social justice.
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