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“In Praise Of Struggle” — a poem by Michael L. Newell

September 5th, 2021

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photo by Tim Mossholder/Pexels

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In Praise Of Struggle

High overhead (turned turned and turned
again) a bird defines wind currents.

Branches crackle…wildly gesticulate
a confusion of gusts.

With grace and ease a student
navigates school rapids until

one day she defies each
teacher she encounters

(boulders she will split
or drown in the effort).

Thelonious Monk …mocked… redefines
the piano’s vocabulary.

Beethoven cleaves a mountain
into symphonic form.

A toddler tumbles stumbles
to her feet and on shaky legs

runs headfirst into
a looming world.

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Michael L. Newell has had five books published in the past three years: Meditation of an Old Man Standing on a Bridge; Each Step a Discovery; Wandering; Diddley-Bop-She-Bop; Making My Peace. He currently lives in Florida.

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Listen to the 1957 Riverside recording of Thelonious Monk playing Irving Berlin’s composition “All Alone”

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Click here to learn how to submit poetry or short fiction

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Tags: Michael L. Newell, poetry

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