I would like the text of the poem "Today" read by Ruby Dee at the
National Memorial Day Concert, 2005

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 30 May 2005 20:06 PDT

I did not see the concert, so this is just speculation. In the past,
Ruby Dee has publicly read a poem called "Today Is Not the Day." The
poem includes this stanza:

This could be the day.
I could slip anchor and wander
to the end of the jetty
uncoil into the waters
a vessel of light moonglade
ride the freshets to sundown...

Does that sound like the right poem?

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Clarification of Question by fie-ga on 31 May 2005 06:03 PDT

Thanks, Pinkfreud. No, it's not that poem. Your poem below is
"romantic," I would say. The poem she read, which she said was a
favorite in their family, was an inspirational poem. Like, get over
it; just go do it.
With all the troubles in one's life, this could be a useful poem to
keep over your desk, so you don't bog down. Carry on!

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Clarification of Question by fie-ga on 31 May 2005 06:06 PDT

Thanks, Pinkfreud. No, it's not that poem. Your poem below is
"romantic," I would say. The poem she read, which she said was a
favorite in their family, was an inspirational poem. Like, get over
it; just go do it.
With all the troubles in one's life, this could be a useful poem to
keep over your desk, so you don't bog down. Carry on!

Hi fie,

The poem is called "Today is Ours Let's Live It."

Here is a transcript of Ruby Dee's recitation at the 2005 National
Memorial Day Concert.  (It contains the typical slight errors found in
such transcriptions.)

"National Memorial Day Concert" (PBS - Sun May 29 2005 at 5:00 PM PDT)
[at 33 minutes 30 seconds, 34 minutes, and 34 minutes 30 seconds]
Google Video
http://video.google.com/videopreview?q="today+is+ours"&docid=-5076367375821877496

The accurate text appears in a book by Ruby Dee.  (You can view the
pages if you sign into an Amazon.com account.  If you don't have an
account, it's free to register for one.)

"My One Good Nerve," by Ruby Dee [search results for "today is ours
let's live it"]
Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0471317047/002-9039901-0530435?v=search-inside&keywords=%22today%20is%20ours%20let%27s%20live%20it%22

- justaskscott


Search strategy:

Searched on Google Video for:

"national memorial day concert"

Searched in Google Video's transcript of the concert for:

"ruby dee" today
"today is ours"

Searched on A9 for:

"today is ours let's live it"

Thanks a million! Made my day.