“Song for the Day”

Walking past each other,
about to speak

all about us is noise
thorn and din.

Someone is stitching a hole
in need of repair.

Someone is trying

spoons on oil drum, boom box, voice.

Words, words
spiny or smooth.

I need to see what’s on the other side.

I know there’s something

in today’s sharp sparkle.

Sing the names of the dead,

song for struggle,
song for the day.

A remix of the inaugural poem, “Praise Song for the Day,” by Elizabeth Alexander.