State of the City
Poem by Rhea Carmon, Knoxville Poet Laureate
and Melody Dalili, Knoxville Youth Poet Laureate
Standing in the place where empathy learned to serve humanity
We state that our city has stood for our city despite its unsteady states
Tirelessly carrying the burden of necessities’ work
A game of tug of war, players fighting,
Bargaining,
Desperately grappling for their own desires
Only to find ourselves together
Making the choice to use this special rope for good
To make indestructible the bond from neighbor to neighbor
Ninety-two years in the making, a woven basket holding the fruits of the city
A harvest serving the citizens
With community as the master,
Working to create space for history to become the home of leaders
Who dedicate their lives to sacrifice;
Finding mercy from sisters and brothers
A mantra we pledge every morning and a lullaby we rest our eyes to at nightfall
Knitting together the safety net to empower the city
When we believe we have met our downfall
There is a seed planted in eroded soil that blooms despite its lack of nutrients
And in that soil a divergent line exists,
Separating selfishness and selflessness,
Separating hurt and birth;
Purpose remains potent and filled with promise
Partners stand together to uphold a community
Connecting stories through challenges
Instead of giving into the greed of mankind
This is what illuminates, what empowers, what inspires
My city– your city– our city
The honor behind the name Knoxville like magnolias
Blooming off of your tongue,
Each syllable a new seed,
Each vowel a basket of fruit,
Spring is every season here and the citizens grow with every harvest
Foraging for connection in the place where empathy learned to serve humanity
We state that our city has stood for our city despite its unsteady states
And we are still standing