Out of the poems we had to read for today, I really like Etheridge Knight's "Haiku," especially the lines "To write a blues song / is to regiment riots / and pluck gems from the grave." This goes back to the blues tradition and the fact that blues songs were about the hardships that people going through, essentially anything that got someone down. Obviously, thus, the genre is called blues. But really I just love the idea of using music as an outlet for emotions. Also, that music can be used to give a voice to problems that are going on that people wouldn't know about or choose to ignore. The line "is to regiment riots" made me think of this. Like making a purpose more clear to others. Or creating order out of chaos. This way the song is used as a healing process. This reminds me of of Harper's "Songs for the People." Creating music to heal the injustices of the world. The idea just seems so beautiful and lovely. Then this way individuals can "pluck gems from the grave." The idea of picking the good out of the bad. Turning what ultimately is a terrible experience and see some good out of it. I think its an important part of being able to move on or get through something. I think it shows how strong willed people can be and I find it rather amazing.