S2 E7: “Not What” by Mary Jo Malo

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inPoetry in the Evening, Reading RoomTags:, , ,

Welcome to Poetry in the Evening.  

I am on a nature walk along the Vancouver Seawall with a poem by Mary Jo Malo.  

Please join me in reciting “Not What” by poet, Mary Jo Malo.

Not What

Who spoke into being
lily, sparrow,
redwood tree
and galaxies?

Who lavishes light
upon our eyes
and deepens shadow
for rest at night?

Who cries out wisdom,
the way of love?
Who liberates 
the heart with law?

Who calls each one
by our secret name
that none but Him
has ever heard?

Who is and has
the first and last? 
Not what, but who.
Undying Word


Mary Jo Malo

We Will Remember Them – Rebecca's Reading Room

S2 E19 We Will Remember Them On November 11th, Canada observes Remembrance Day.   On this day, we will remember the members of our armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Across Canada, there will be a moment of silence at the 11th hour.  In the year 1918, WWI hostilities formally ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.” I am wearing a red poppy, which is the Canadian symbol of Remembrance Day based on the poem “In Flanders Fields.” On May 3, 1915, Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae was moved to write the poem after he presided over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle Ypres.  May we all continue to seek peaceful solutions…together. In Flanders Fields by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place: and in the sky The larks still bravely singing fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead: Short days ago, We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved: and now we lie In Flanders fields! Take up our quarrel with the foe To you, from failing hands, we throw The torch: be yours to hold it high If ye break faith with us who die, We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields Composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915 during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae Recitation by Rebecca Budd Music by Calm Shores “As Ice Melts” Epidemic Sound  https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/v9whUplstD/

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

9 thoughts on “S2 E7: “Not What” by Mary Jo Malo”

  2. Thank you for the lovely surprise, Rebecca. I’m honored to be among your selected authors. For some reason I hadn’t seen your Reading Room blog but am delighted now to be a follower. Hugs+++

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Rebecca’s Reading Room is a new project that has been in the back of my mind for several years. As you know I have been reading poetry out loud and wanted to a space to bring them altogether. Poetry is a gift to the world. Thank you for your poetry which has added depth to my experience and understanding..

      Liked by 1 person

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