Alexander Brings New Song to Weaver Chapel
By: Joe Panstingel
By: Joe Panstingel
Elizabeth Alexander sang a song of Martin Luther King as the life of his namesake gazed down from Weaver Chapel's stained glass on Monday. "We gather to transform our cosmic elegy into a song of fulfillment." She stated as she gazed out at a packed crowd of students, faculty, and guests.
Alexander kept the attention of the crowd by reminiscing about her parents and their attendance at the 'I have a dream' speech. She explains that she was only an infant, in a pram, and didn't remember it. "It was the compulsion to attend the march that my parents spoke of. People arrived in Washington by whatever means they had at their disposal."
The first time Alexander's voice was heard, on that day in Washington, may have been a mere cry in the crowd, but last year her voice rang clear for all to hear. At President-elect Obama's invitation, Alexander recited Praise Song for the Day at his inauguration. She joined the likes of Frost and Angelou with her offering that reminds one of Whitman with its Everyman themes and motifs.
Born in 1962 Harlem, Alexander went to Yale University, Boston University and The University of Pennsylvania. She is now a fellow at Harvard University. Her collections of poetry continue to move and send an important message. Her collection, American Sublime, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
Alexander's speech spoke of love the way that King saw it. She cited that King didn't speak of love as "emotional bosh" but love as an "understanding" of shared humanity. King's stance on the importance of culture (poetry) to society was also a major theme. "Culture is like an ambient gas." She quoted King. "Once it's released, it can no longer come home." When speaking of poetry, Alexander offered, "It takes the breath away."
The silent crowd listened as she read Pray Song for the Day. "Say it plain: that many have died for this day./ Sing the names of the dead who brought us here." Alexander reminded the audience of the sacrifice of King and his movement with clipped voice and eloquence of prose.
The gloomy atmosphere, inspired by the intense colors of the windows, was subjugated by the soaring heights of Alexander's simple message of love. "Love beyond marital, filial, national,/ love that casts a widening pool of light,/ love with no need to pre-empt grievance."
Alexander's idea of love was shared by the assembly who rose as one to laud her performance. It was apparent by the uninformed actions of the audience that many were unfamiliar with the ritual of a colloquy. The pomp and circumstance was impressive, thought as religion with its own creed and traditions. Participatory missteps aside, the presentation was excellent and simple. "Praise song for walking forward in that light."
Alexander kept the attention of the crowd by reminiscing about her parents and their attendance at the 'I have a dream' speech. She explains that she was only an infant, in a pram, and didn't remember it. "It was the compulsion to attend the march that my parents spoke of. People arrived in Washington by whatever means they had at their disposal."
The first time Alexander's voice was heard, on that day in Washington, may have been a mere cry in the crowd, but last year her voice rang clear for all to hear. At President-elect Obama's invitation, Alexander recited Praise Song for the Day at his inauguration. She joined the likes of Frost and Angelou with her offering that reminds one of Whitman with its Everyman themes and motifs.
Born in 1962 Harlem, Alexander went to Yale University, Boston University and The University of Pennsylvania. She is now a fellow at Harvard University. Her collections of poetry continue to move and send an important message. Her collection, American Sublime, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
Alexander's speech spoke of love the way that King saw it. She cited that King didn't speak of love as "emotional bosh" but love as an "understanding" of shared humanity. King's stance on the importance of culture (poetry) to society was also a major theme. "Culture is like an ambient gas." She quoted King. "Once it's released, it can no longer come home." When speaking of poetry, Alexander offered, "It takes the breath away."
The silent crowd listened as she read Pray Song for the Day. "Say it plain: that many have died for this day./ Sing the names of the dead who brought us here." Alexander reminded the audience of the sacrifice of King and his movement with clipped voice and eloquence of prose.
The gloomy atmosphere, inspired by the intense colors of the windows, was subjugated by the soaring heights of Alexander's simple message of love. "Love beyond marital, filial, national,/ love that casts a widening pool of light,/ love with no need to pre-empt grievance."
Alexander's idea of love was shared by the assembly who rose as one to laud her performance. It was apparent by the uninformed actions of the audience that many were unfamiliar with the ritual of a colloquy. The pomp and circumstance was impressive, thought as religion with its own creed and traditions. Participatory missteps aside, the presentation was excellent and simple. "Praise song for walking forward in that light."
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