Poetry is Alive.

Still I Rise – Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

Pohl, M., Punzi, E., & Berwald, O. (2018). The virtues of poetic writing: Implications for clinical practice—An interview study. The Humanistic Psychologist, 46(1), 91–104. https://doi.org/10.1037/hum0000072

Coming Soon: Cruelty Free Poetluck – Journey of Five Senses – Taste (Postponed, TBD)
What is cruelty free?
Many cosmetic products and basic utensils we use in our bathrooms and self-care (ranging from shampoo to your favorite cleaning gel and lipstick) are still tested on animals despite the fact that there are better scientific alternatives. On the other hand, millions of animals slaughtered on the meat and dairy industry and the carbon footprint of animal farming is not sustainable for our planet, setting aside being more unhealthy for humans due to industralization and fast production. There are better protein alternatives now, and once you get into kitchen, you understand it is all about spices, texture, salt and balance when it comes to taste – we can enjoy the delicious food and familiar notes without harming others. Let’s think along, discuss, eat, and create together.

https://www.humaneworld.org/en/resources/consumer-guide-cruelty-free

Why do we have this poetluck? Why plant-based / vegan?
This is part of the sub-project: journey of senses, in which we previously explored sound and sight at De Pont and Opera op De Parade so far. We will now explore taste together, believing in the power of community, ending suffering for all, and a world we respect all kinds of animals, including non-human ones. Just like poetry – plant based and vegan eating should be accessible and easy to reach for all. We can start now with the means we have.

What to expect?
Suprise vegan – plant-based snacks will be provided depending on the number of participants but we kindly ask everyone to bring their own plant-based food, pen and paper. We will also think along, write, read poems together. If you are not able to bring any food you are also welcome! Contact us if you need special arrangements.

If you are going through a heavy season, feeling overwhelmed, or looking for reasons to stay, please know you are welcome here. You are invited to fill out our contact form to connect with a community that aims to be a safe space for expression and shared values – experiences.

Remember that your story is not over. You have not yet met all your people, nor sat at all the tables waiting for you to join. You have not tasted every adventure yet. Even during the gloomiest days, please believe in a love and care that is kept for you like an inheritance, as Rilke says.

(Please note: our contact form is not monitored 24/7. If you are in immediate pain, and struggle with these thoughts, please use the helplines below).