Inspiration

I am working on my poems, and reworking my Pantoum. Lyrics by some of my favorite artists have inspired me to write lately. Here is Sarah McLachlan's song "Witness." It is a really interesting song, and very beautiful. I have been thinking about it in terms of my Pantoum, "Blue Lotus Feet." Not all of the lyrics, but certain ones. For example, here are some lyrics that I have been thinking about: "Make me a witness. Take me out; out of darkness-- out of doubt." I love how McLachlan begins her song with these words. I want "Blue Lotus Feet" to remain religious, but I felt like many people didn't understand it, and that maybe it was too religious.I also might use the religious images, but change the subject matter. I am working on it, and I might start the poem off with using some pieces of this song; not in the poem, but when introducing the reader to the poem. Let me know what you think. I tried to correct the punctuation, the site I got this from just had the lyrics. Anyway, here are the words to the entire song.

Witness

Make me a witness.
Take me out;
Out of darkness--
out of doubt.

I won't weigh you down
with good intention;
won't make fire out of clay,
or other inventions.

Will we burn in heaven
like we do down here?
Will the change come
while we're waiting?

Everyone is waiting.

And when we're done
soul searching,
as we carried the weight
and died for the cause,
is misery
made beautiful
right before our eyes?
Will mercy be revealed
or blind us where we stand?

Will we burn in heaven
like we do down here?
Will the change come while we're waiting?
Everyone is waiting.


Would using song lyrics to introduce this poem be a bad idea? I will post my draft on here later, and show you guys what I am thinking about doing to it. I liked the poem, and I want to be able to use it.