The World is Calling
Rita Dove and David Guinn (Source: Virginia.edu)
This morning, while walking my dog near the University of Virginia Grounds, I happened upon these welcome words from former U.S. Poet Laureate and UVA English professor Rita Dove.
“Back when everything was still to come,
luck leaked out everywhere.
I gave my promise to the world,
and the world followed me here.”
~ Rita Dove
It’s the final stanza of her poem, “Testimonial,” which originally appeared in her book, On the Bus with Rosa Parks. Today it’s part of an exuberant mural created by David Guinn and crowned with Dove’s line, “the world called, and I answered.”
Thank you for answering the call, Rita Dove. And thank you for the riotous reminder, David Guinn..
David Guinn (Source: Virginia.edu)
Gentle Reminder
Sometimes I (we all?) need a gentle reminder to unblinder and untether. This morning I needed a reminder…
“We walk along in our normal lives, being irritated by the stuff we are normally irritated by, and then a mural – or poetry – can stop us in our tracks and remind us of the here and now, of both the intimacy of the human spirit and the expansiveness of the world… Murals do that even without words. When you add words, that effect intensifies.” ~ Rita Dove (Source: Virginia.edu)
Spot on! Am I living out someone else’s script? Perfectly articulated, totally accurate, and 100% timely.
“The world is going to call you. Are you going to be ready to answer? Will you be ready to answer?” ~ Rita Dove (Source: Virginia.edu)
Rita Dove and David Guinn (Source: Virginia.edu)
