Mashup Monday: Remaking Memories through Poetry
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
— John F. Kennedy
A Memorial
Today
we honor the fallen
planted
in the earth,
past proverbs,
their sacrifices
softly heard.
The soldier,
sentinel at night
whispers hope
of peace
unspoken.
America was big,
a kind refuge
for dreams,
of balanced flight,
yet we now forsake the people,
breaking pledges,
holding histories
on old yellow pages.
We have failed the fallen
who fought for the people.
The flag, the anthem,
symbols for us, for all.
We must do our part now,
clearing paths
with love etched
in every word.
For the nation,
a deep reflection due,
cupped hands
holding futures
ever bright.
My Mashup: Remixing My Work
For this Mashup Monday, I started with the idea that “Everything’s a Remix.“ All creativity builds on what’s come before. I grabbed a few poems from my blog’s past, looking at them not as finished pieces, but as elements ready for something new. My aim was to blend their words into a fresh tribute for Memorial Day.
Take at the look at the poems I chose as my ingredients:
Blending phrases and lines from each poem turned out to be more challenging, but also more rewarding, than I expected. Sometimes when you remix, you have to cut a word or two, add something new that isn’t there, or break up the pieces into smaller bits.
This practice isn’t just about crafting a new poem; it’s a great way to flex creative muscles. It forces you to look at familiar texts with fresh eyes, discovering new connections and meanings you might have missed. Forcing yourself to work within constraints and combine disparate elements often sparks unexpected ideas and strengthens your ability to adapt and innovate.
