Poetry in Wartime

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It is recommended that the documentary Voices of Wartime be shown initially as a lead-in to working with the material in the module. If this module is to be used in conjunction with other thematic modules, then it is appropriate to view the documentary at the beginning of the course of study and refer back to portions of the documentary that support the topics being engaged.

Poetry offered in this module is chronologically arranged beginning with Enheduanna, thought to be history’s earliest recorded writer, and ending with an excerpt from the work of Seamus Heaney, 1995 Nobel Literature Prize winner. All of the poems, with the exception of the two works by young persons towards the end of the module, are followed by questions for reflection or discussion, activities or suggested work for research or further investigation. Poetry of a significant number of poets, for example: Enheduanna, Homer, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Langston Hughes, Chris Abani, and Antonieta Villamil are linked to historical activities and research. A special series of suggested activities is provided on British Poets and Writers.

At the end of Poetry in Wartime is a comprehensive Annotated Bibliography that appears in four sections: 1) Background information on the two anthologies that helped provide a significant amount of material for the film, Voices in Wartime; 2) Selected writing by those individuals interviewed or featured in the film, 3) Books about the poets who are included in the film, and 4) Selected bibliography of writers who are referred to in the film or through interview segments in the module. This bibliography can prove to be extremely valuable when conducting research, working on expanding a topic, or just for the joy of finding additional material to read. The significance of poetry is certainly contained within the words. However, hearing poetry read aloud has an unusual power. Encourage students to read poems out loud. Pave the way by reading a selection from Poetry in Wartime. Allow students to hear poems several times before even discussing them in class. Select a poem and read it once, then have students jot notes about what they believe the poem is about. Have it read a second and third time. Each time ask for explanation. Discuss with students how they interpretations may have changed. Finally, within Poetry in Wartime is a continuous conversation thread about poetry and the role of poets. Use the discussion questions offered in the module as a personal reflection on what poetry means to each person in the class.

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by mirza.a.beg - 10/27/2009 - 1:11pm

Poem - In search of Jesus

In search of Jesus

Mirza A. Beg
Oct 15, 2009

This poem, allegorically laments the misuse of the name and the message of Jesus. With a few changed words and syntax it would be valid for any religion.

The age of Information is entwined with the age of misinformation. Thoughtful understanding requires hard work; propaganda only needs bumper stickers. Religious zealots from all sides symbiotically feed on propagandized fear. The internal struggle is between the heart of each religion serving with humility and the strong arm seeking supremacy through misconstrued words.

The paradox is – in all religions; those who claim universality of their brand of religion behave as exclusivist tribal supremacist and those who introspectively value personal responsibility enhance universal amity.

Son of Mary
Celebrated is your name
Your Hellenized name
Jesus!

You are a messenger
A pristine idea to a few
A God to some
And the Son of God

You are a friend to some
A seer of wisdom
A promise of justice
And salvation

A hope for tomorrow
A redeemer to fallen
A beacon to lost souls
A promise of peace

Some shout your name
From lavish pulpits
Peddling salvation
From fire and damnation

They amass power
To usher your kingdom
At the point of the sword
Or atom tipped bombs

While others
Walk a lonely road
Quietly, humbly
Serving the needy

They love their neighbors
Humbly serve the meek
The sick, the injured
And the bombed

Mirza A. Beg can be contacted at, mab64@yahoo.com, or http://mirzasmusings.blogspot.com/