Un-silent Contemplation… | Disciple Playbook

During a Kings Daughters and Sons gathering recently, Emmy read a portion of the poem entitled “Joy Unspeakable.” It was captivating. Upon looking it up HERE, who should appear to be sharing the message but our friends at CAC!

As CAC describes, “Holmes begins her book Joy Unspeakable with this evocative poem, tracing the thread of creative expression from the birth of the universe through the Christian Desert Mothers and Fathers (who were dark-skinned, though they’re often portrayed as white), through slavery and the continued oppression of people of color.” Here’s an example of the prose to “wet your whistle”

… For the tap dancing, boogie woogie,
rap/rock/blues griots
who also hear God,
joy unspeakable is
that space/time/joy continuum thing
that dares us to play and pray
in the interstices of life,
it is the belief that the phrase
“the art of living”
means exactly what it says…

~ from the poem Joy Unspeakable by Barbara Holmes

The griots (storytellers) are so effective in song – with rhythmic beats, melodies, harmonies, lyrics and more. Listening to those songs can lead to substantial contemplation!

The power of the poem must be taken in its entirety however, reviewing the thread through all the ages. You’ll thank yourself for taking some good time with this poem in reflection…

POTENTIAL ACTIONS:

Listen to one or more of the following music forms mentioned in the poem: boogie woogie, rap/rock/blues. How does this aid your contemplation and reflection of the historical journeys that the poem Joy Unspeakable describes
Consider going back and reading the poem HERE aloud one more time

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!