Poetry Metagenics at the Pulitzer Center

Original article here --> Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting 

Inspired by the serendipitous algorithm-generated poetry of the New York Times Haiku, we're hoping to feed our own award-winning writing through a concept of similar but more human design: the staff and readers of the Pulitzer Center website.  

Our resident poet, Jennifer Nguyen, got the ball rolling: 

@jen_vnguyen

A dividing line
of walls, mines, wire, land and men,
unites Korea.

We write on behalf
those who may risk death for words
this Poetry Month.

When given the "choice"
sick, ailing Cambodians
prefer HIV.

What is a haiku?

Haiku is poetry in three short lines using a 5-7-5 syllable structure. Typically haikus contain strong sensory or synesthetic words and images. 



Poetry Month: Telling Untold Stories:

Haikus about international untold stories help interpret global issues for a wider audience. 

Amanda Ottaway  

@amandaottaway

in and of shadows 

the stateless stumble, ever 

the nowhere people.

Susan Marie  

@SusanMarie_NY

Bones emitting truth 

stack, one atop another 

collocating flies.

Poetry can help us reflect and see things we might have missed in everyday life. 

Poetry can be a call to action or, as Pulitzer Center grantees Eliza Griswold and Seamus Murphy found in Afghanistan, a way to express dissent when self-expression is dangerous. 

© Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting

For Boston from Buffalo

A Message from Our Unity of Buffalo Prayer Ministry

Dear Unity Friends,

We are saddened by the tragic events at the Boston Marathon, and we send healing prayers to all the injured, knowing that they receive the very best of care, and that they are being healed from within by mighty currents of God’s healing love abundantly flowing through each one.  

We send prayers of comfort and peace to the loved ones of those injured and those whose loved ones have made their transition.  

We know that the Holy Spirit draws near to each person who is grieving or worried about their loved one, and whispers comforting thoughts that uplift each one.  

We send prayers of gratitude to the first responders who so effectively and efficiently cared for the injured, knowing that they too are comforted and uplifted.  

We send calming thoughts to all who are frightened.  

Today’s Daily Word reminds us that the power of God works through one and all, and we are blessed and protected. 

Thank you for praying with our prayer ministry.

Unity of Buffalo Prayer Chaplains

1243 Delaware Ave.

Buffalo, NY 14209

(716) 882-0391

www.unitybuffalo.org

info@unitybuffalo.org

Thoughts While Sleepwalking

On Audio --> here 
 

it leaps and bounds

love 

climbing vines towards Heaven

 
zinging past stars, galaxies
meteors flashing
supernova stargaze falling embers

 
like a waterscape canvas
melting nightscape backdrop
settling upon blooms springing forth
from each bud

 
an electrical buzzzzzzzzzz

 
resonating
a bumblehum
of drones
leaving the air
thick and heavy
like buttercream frosting.

If you look to the sky, you will see the energy
electrical lines quake and quiver  a sonic boom
like static
traveling down one arm
to the fingertip
that touched Gods' own
on the ceiling of the Sistine.

Michelangelo knew about love. 

Aboriginals knew.

They needed no speech.

They felt the Earth
pull their chests
outward
magnetic
a throbbing ache
of telepathic temple
told presence of
Mother Earth
God
Buddha
Muhammad
The Great Spirit
Yahweh

The bum in the gutter
has knowing eyes.
I bet you never took
the time to see.

 

Next
         time
                  look
                           closer

the iris
reflects the freedom
of knowing
the same crazed stare
of a driven soul
escaping through  tunnels of poetry
waiting to flood
the city streets
and drown  the foolhardy.

The Genesis 

 
of an Apocalypse.  

 

© Susan Marie