☀️ The Raft Weekly (7/25/26): "I'll Take You There"

The Raft Weekly is the Saturday “goody bag” for the online community of author Phyllis Cole-Dai. Ride the river of a creative life, buoyed by her latest writings as well as nudges for your own expressive practice, boosts of curated poetry and music, and more.

I'LL TAKE YOU THERE
Phyllis Cole-Dai
                                a cento in honor of Mavis Staples,
                                 composed entirely of song titles
                                 from her recordings with the Staple Singers
                                 and as a solo artist
why am I treated so bad?
        —who told you that?
               no time for crying
                      respect yourself
you are not alone
        never, never let you go
                everybody needs love
brothers and sisters
        beautiful strangers
                we get by
                        all in it together
change
        the human mind
                a little bit
change
        this world
                a little bit
change
        history, now
                a little bit
we go high
        build a bridge
                freedom highway
tonight I feel like dancing
        heavy makes you happy
                if you're ready
                        I'll take you there
touch a hand, make a friend
        let's do it again
                endlessly
take us back
        far celestial shore

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☀️ Last week I was overjoyed to hear Mavis Staples in concert. She’s one of my heroes—musically and as a human being. Now 87 years old, she leans on a friend’s arm to enter and leave the stage. She’s not too proud to sit down to rest during the performance, or mop her face, or use an iPad to help her remember lyrics.

My goodness, she’s still got it. Throughout the concert, when I wasn’t dancing in my seat and clapping in rhythm, I was leaning forward, elbows on my thighs, my throat tight, tears in my eyes, my spirit soaring on the wings of her belief in what’s fair and right. Her courage. Her passion. Her unshakeable faith. Her unconquerable hope. And the truth swelling through her voice!

Even while sitting there in that crowd of thousands, I knew that I wanted to create a tribute poem for her.

Days later, the muse prompted me to shape this cento from song titles Mavis recorded as a member of the Staple Singers or as a solo artist. Each line of the poem is a title.

I hope this cento brings you some of this woman’s joyous presence and her mighty, loving stance toward this world of ours. She is a powerhouse.

And so are we.

☀️ Bonus! Enjoy this companion Spotify playlist, which includes all 28 songs from the cento above, in the same order. Click the play button to listen. You can also scroll through the list and highlight songs you want to play.

☀️ Following the muse’s nudge, write a poem (or create something else) inspired by a specific piece of music or by a musician.

☀️ Treat yourself to the boosts below in one sitting or spread your pleasure over the week. Click on the colored links to access them.

• Poetry: “Instead of Depression” (Andrea Gibson)

• Poetry: “Courage” (Amelia Earhart)

• Vocal music: “Sky Above” (Jacob Collier & friends). Lyrics here.

• Vocal music: “Live Out Loud” (Sierra Boggess). Lyrics here.

• Instrumental music: “Peace Keeping” (Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita)

• For peace’s sake: I ain’t sayin’ what it is but enjoy.

☀️ “PRAISE SONG TO THE DAY,” OUR COMMUNITY ODE, IS NOW BEING CREATED. Well, actually, it’s becoming many community odes! Ten volunteers are shaping their own ode from phrases and lines contributed by fellow Rafters. Watch for the release of these wonderful poems in August.

☀️ EVERY NON-HOLIDAY THURSDAY: Poetry Pick-Me-Up (Zoom, 1-2PM ET, 12-1 CT, 11-12 MT, 10-11 PT). FREE! A casual poetry-sharing and discussion group. Bring a published poem that you’ve recently read to share, or come simply to listen. (Please, no original poetry.) Just hop on the Zoom at this link.

☀️ Why make a contribution to The Raft? It’s like supporting Public Broadcasting here in the US. The main perk you get in return for being either a paid subscriber or a one-time donor is the joy of helping The Raft stay on the air—um, on the water. If you appreciate my offerings, please consider helping to sustain my work.

My profound thanks to these Rafters who gave a recent contribution: Reece Burka, Maureen Kane, Teri Cornell, Carroll Jones, Rona Klein, Noreen McLaughlin, Suzanne Offit, Lana Phillips, Julie Rinard, Julie Roehm, Debora Tremont, Sara Tyburski, Elizabeth Venart, and boistree.