Once again, I am sharing a poem written in response to Laura Shovan’s Found Poetry Project. This year’s theme is “10 Words Found in the News.” For Thursday’s inspiration, Mary Lee Hahn chose Elizabeth Warren’s words from a CNN interview after she was banned from speaking on the Senate floor by Mitch McConnell. “They can shut me up, but they can’t change the truth,” Warren proclaimed.
As soon as I saw these words, Mary Lee’s post on Nikki Grimes’s amazing new poetry collection, One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance (Bloomsbury, 2017) came to mind. Using the Golden Shovel form, Grimes uses lines from and/or entire poems written by giants of the Harlem Renaissance to create new verses. Each line in the new poem ends with a word from the original verse. (Be sure to read Mary Lee’s post for a much clearer explanation. Better yet, get yourself a copy of One Last Word and read Grimes’s note about the form. The poetry, both the original poems and the new poems they inspired, is breathtaking. Warren’s statement seemed to be tailor made for a Golden Shovel poem. Here is my attempt at the form.
For more information about climate change, watch this video from Yale Climate Connections.
Please be sure to visit Katie at The Logonauts for the Poetry Friday Roundup.
Reading to the Core 
Catherine, I haven’t come across this form before, but just from your example, I love it! And love your subversiveness in using Warren’s words for a poem on this very important topic.
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So much to love about this post! I had missed Mary Lee’s post and wasn’t familiar with One Last Word so now I’m off to check both of those out. can see why the Golden Shovel form appealed to you for Laura Shovan’s challenge yesterday. It was a perfect fit. Well done!
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One of the lectures on our recent Antarctic trip noted the visible reduction to the hole in the ozone layer. I certainly hope it keeps closing, because we are melting here today! (And worse predicted this weekend.)
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PS. The reduction came when they cracked down on the use of CFCs. #clarifying #hopeful
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I haven’t tried this form yet. You have done a brilliant job. It’s February and for the first time that I can remember the azaleas are blooming. They usually bloom in March. I do not understand how anyone can refute real science.
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Nice job — what an interesting form! Appreciate the video too. 🙂
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I’m intrigued by the golden shovel form, but haven’t tried it myself. I like how your poem adds another layer of context to the quote from Warren. There are so many issues that some are trying to shut up. I hope the truth shines through before it’s too late.
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Great job on the form. I enjoyed this on FB, and here as well. I like that you pick up the climate issue that has gotten lost with the immigration ban.
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The muzzling of scientists and the denial of generally accepted facts is maddening – what kind of message are we sending to future generations?!? Thank you for highlighting this frightening issue.
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You know that I love how you crafted this because I saw it earlier. It is wonderful, a truly plaintive cry.I am so dismayed by the news about the EPA, and if we are, how must the scientists feel! It’s time to shout that truth instead of being quiet. Thanks, Catherine.
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An excellent poem for showcasing the seriousness of Warren’s words, Catherine, and the climate change cause fits them so perfectly. Hard to believe this was your first attempt at a golden shovel!
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Brava. Appreciations for the links + video, also.
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Here’s to the truth, which seems in short supply these days. Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Thank you, Catherine, the video is powerful. I love the scientist that said, “if I have to come out as a real person, so be it. I’m a scientist and a real person.” I like this line, is there time to tell how close we are to the edge” ?
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I haven’t tried this form yet, but your wonderful poem has inspired me. The last line of your poem really hits home, and we sure do need more facing the truth these days!
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Your choice of golden shovel, and Michael Ratcliffe’s villanelle were PERFECT choices of form for the quote/10+1 words. Way to pack extra meaning in by using global warming as your topic. Well done!
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Preach it, sister. We need truth in these dark times.
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Oh, Catherine, this is exquisite. I need to spend more time with poets – the truth tellers of today! I haven’t stopped by your blog for awhile, but you’ve been busy writing beautiful, honest words. Thank you!
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Terrific, Catherine. And so timely. Sigh. I have Nikki’s book at the top of my stack here and look forward to diving in. Happy Hearts Day to you!
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Skillful use of the Golden Shovel form, Catherine…from your blog to their denying ears.
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Strong poem Catherine, and I think the image you’ve used works very well with the words! I’ll have to check out Nikki Grimes’ new book too!
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Loved the last line of this one, Catherine. Isn’t it fascinating how we can mold the ten words to reflect what’s on our minds?
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[…] My friend Heidi Mordhorst is hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup today. Heidi is a passionate, brilliant, funny, caring person. She brings these qualities and more to everything she does. Poetry Friday Roundups don’t usually have a theme other than poetry, but from time to time, the host will suggest an optional, unifying theme. Several weeks ago, Heidi announced that she wanted to highlight and support the worldwide School Strike for Climate that took place today. I wanted to write a poem worthy of this important event. As I looked through my notebooks for an idea, I discovered I already had. (Read more about this poem here.) […]
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