Lowenberg Published in Poetry Journal

NWU member Zigi Lowenberg’s poem, “The Ridiculous Optimism of the Daffodil,” was published in Rabbit and Rose, an online poetry journal.

A poet, performer, and co-leader in the seminal jazzpoetry ensemble, UpSurge! Lowenberg lives with her husband and creative partner in Harlem and Oakland. Follow her @ZigarinaZigi and learn more at upsurgejazz. Here is Lowenberg’s poem:

 The Ridiculous Optimism of the Daffodil
An Interwoven Poem in Two Voices

Voice I

The ridiculous optimism
          of the Daffodil
mocking torrential downpours,
          relentless rain
Pollyanna yellow
          and impudent green
bulletin bursting from this urban corner
          A bugle’s blast
announcing spring’s arrival.

Voice II

This poem is not a speech
Not a tidy manifesto,
          with marching orders
Columns of strident syllables
          saluting
This is not a soldier’s battle cry
but a plea, a prayer,
          a rally for the soul,
          a down-on-my-knees begging chant,
“Come, come,
          let’s gather together.”