Happy Independence Day 2022!
from Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga and Friends at the California State Poetry Society and Helena Modjeska Art and Culture Club - Joe DeCenzo, Elsa Frausto, Marlene Hitt, Alice Pero, Pamela Shea, Dorothy Skiles, Maja Trochimczyk, Susan Rogers, Bory Thach, Ambika Talwar, and Beata & Ella Czajkowska
It's that time of the year! The Independence Day Parade in Sunland Tujunga starts at 10 am on Monday, 4 July 2022 from the crossing of Mt. Gleason and Foothill. The parade goes down Foothill Blvd, and ends by Sunland Park. It takes about an hour to walk. Above is one of the previously decorated Poets' Convertibles (lent to the poets by Joe DeCenzo). Below a photo from the parade that featured Pamela Shea, then Poet Laureate as the Statue of Liberty, with her crown and torch Those were the days.... and now we are coming back to this patriotic fun!
Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga will be represented by the Poet Laureate
Alice Pero riding in the Poets' Convertible driven by
Joe DeCenzo (ST Poet Laureate No. 4), with guests
Beata Czajkowska, Secretary of Helena Modjeska Art and Culture Club, poet
Susan Rogers, and Village Poets volunteer,
Josephine. Walking along the decorated car, poets will distribute postcards with "America the Beautiful" and poems they selected for this occasion.
The "walking" poets will include Dr. Maja Trochimczyk, ST Poet Laureate No. 6 (2010-2012) and President of the California State Poetry Society, Ambika Talwar, secretary of the California State Poetry Society, Bory Thach, one of the Editors of the California Quarterly and member of the Board of CSPS, and Elzbieta Czajkowska, representing Helena Modjeska Art and Culture Club as its volunteer web designer.
Maja Trochimczyk, Bory Thach and Ambika Talwar (2021).
Alice Pero started her term in 2020, however all public events were cancelled and her first public appearance in a large Village Poets event was at the Passing of the Laurels Ceremony held this spring. You can
read her bio and a list of achievements on our site, and about the
Passing of the Laurels on this blog.
Alice Pero
Some of the poems to be given out will be on the theme of the celebration, for instance Marlene Hitt wrote about the fireworks:
(c) Marlene Hitt
Maja Trochimczyk's "Independence Day" poem that was given out as a postcard previously, received a new design:
.jpg)
Independence Day
Red - are the rocks of the Grand Canyon
White - are the mountains, covered with snow
Blue - are the waves of Pacific Ocean
Red, White and Blue - colors of all.
Red - is the Earth from which we come
White - is the Air that fills our lungs
Blue - is the Water inside us, with Stardust
Red, White and Blue - connected in all.
Red - is pure Love, deep in our hearts
White - is the Brightness of our minds
Blue - is the Peace of well-lived lives
Red, White and Blue - freedom for all.
(C) 2018 by Maja Trochimczyk
Maja Trochimczyk decided to also distribute one poem from her new book,
Bright Skies - a version of a poem written for one person, now transformed from singular into plural - so it is a poem about all of US and our strengths, together. We are all perfect!
Today – For Us
We are a
miracle of life
We do what we
want
We want what
we do
We are perfect
We are cosmic
trees
We grow by the
calm lake of light
Its smooth
opal surface
Reflects the
sun’s smiling face
Our roots
drink liquid light
Our crown
sparkles with stars
Our leaves are
green with peace
Our flowers
are gold with joy
Our fruit is
ripe with wisdom
We are a
living miracle
We are perfect
From noon to
midnight
From midnight
to noon
We love what
we do
We do what we
love
We are—we shine—
We are one
with the One
We are perfect
(c) 2022 by Maja Trochimczyk, from "Bright Skies"
Ambika Talwar follows the theme of "Today" with an excerpt from a longer poem:
for
the winds are your messengers
wherever
these miniscule spores wander
proclaim freedom for all those
who choose to give nourishment to
their inner hearts’ miraculous ways
is
the day we each promised eons ago
we would shift the ley lines
of our thoughts and ways of being
my blessed beloveds, we are on the path
of discovery and new creation
And
freely choose life liberty wisdom…
and happiness …
~ Ambika
Talwar
Joe DeCenzo will bring his poem inspired by
America the Beautiful, "From Sea to Shining Sea," that we previously published on this site:
http://villagepoets.blogspot.com/2018/07/village-poets-bring-poetry-to.html
Here are links to photos and stories from our previous parades. The last one of these was in July 2019:
Joe, Marlene, Maja and Josephine at the Parade in 2018.
PHOTOS FROM 2022 INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
Happy Independence Day! We had the largest crew ever in the Village Poets entry in the Sunland-Tujunga Parade - two people to carry the banner (poet Joe DeCenzo and Josephine), three in the poets' convertible (ST Poet Laureate Alice Pero, poets Dorothy Skiles and Bory Thach who served as a driver), and three "walkers" to give out poems - myself, Ella and Beata Czajkowska! Then, a party at home and great conversations with another guest, India-born poet Ambika Talwar. So much fun!
In one group we had immigrants from Poland, Mexico, Germany, Cambodia and India, plus those born in the USA. A true celebration of freedom, diversity and friendship! I wore the gold scarf made by my Mom who died on the 4th of July 2013, and I always remember her joyous generosity and love on this lovely, happy day! Ella, a poet and "walker" giving away poems, said that people were moved to tears to get cards, especially the Hymn of Light I wrote new words for... America the Beautiful was the biggest hit on my side. I had people coming up to ask for extra cards... We'll have to print 800 for next year!
First, we gathered at my house on Sunday evening to decorate the Poets' Convertible - the car is lent for this occasion by Joe DeCenzo who, after the parade is over, has to remove the "goo" of glue from tape that melts into the varnish. Thanks a lot Joe! In some years, we totally overdecorated the car - see the photo on the top of this post. This year, I think we managed to stay classy!
July 3, 2022 Decorating Poets' Convertible with Alice trying out her seat
Almost ready - Poets' Convertible covered in silk flowers, bunting and flags!
Josephine and the stars
Bory Thach and the front grille, tricky job!
Alice and Josephine put the final touches on the front
Maja, Joe, Josephine and Alice so happy together!
Joe and Josephine attach the bunting to the front
We have some words on magnets, and the Poet Laureate picks up mini-poems
Two of Alice's choices are here.
I asked poets for some comments about the Parade and received the following from Alice Pero, our current Poet Laureate.
Alice with her special umbrella from Joe and scarf from Maja.
"Here is the story about me and the little girl today.
When I was waiting in the car to start off in the parade,
a man and little girl came and seemed very interested in
our car and the man asked what we were doing and I
said, "This is the Poet Laureate Car." I directly addressed
the little girl who was standing wide-eyed at me. I asked her,
"Do you know what a poet is?" She didn't answer, so I said,
"A poet is someone who makes poems. Here is a poem:
'The bright yellow sun is up high in the sky
will you be my friend today on the 4th of July?"
She smiled broadly at that point and then we got into
a conversation about how she could make up a poem herself,
maybe about the unicorn on her tee shirt.
These are the things that make being a Poet Laureate so much fun.
Thank you for including the Poet Laureate in the Sunland/Tujunga
The crew ready to roll! Alice in her chair on top of the convertible,
Josephine, Joe, Ella, Bory, Dorothy, Beata and Maja stand in costumes.
Ella and Beata Czajkowska with poems to give away
Bory as the driver, Joe and Josephine to carry the banner.
Maja with the flag
Beata with postcards of poems and America the Beautiful
Joe made the banner, and this year carried it with Josephine. Fantastic outfits!
The crew with Alice, Dorothy and Bory in the car, Joe and Josephine in the back
The second smallest car, a truck with its driver and Joe.
The crew at the end of the route.
After the parade with the car
Joe and Josephine
Maja, Joe, Josephine in front of her house.
Maja Josephine, Beata and Ella
Josephine designed her dress and had it made to order specially for this parade!
Maja and Ambika in patriotic hats
The next step for the poets will be....CSPS Board representatives
Maja Trochimczyk President, Bory Thach, CQ Editor, and Ambika Talwar, Board Secretary.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
