I haven't stuck my head out of the door all day...I wonder what the humidity is like out there...the plants on the balcony tell me its a slight breeze blowing and there is an overcast in the sky. My body hasn't quite recovered from the intermittent sleep the other night...We kept the tv on C-Span2 watching the debates and anticipating the outcome of the vote on Iraqi withdrawal, time line or no time line. My interest in politics often goes beyond politics but watching how people behave and the arguements they put forth, for me, becomes an open door to make analysis of gender, class, race, and economic roles for our civilization at large. Peter concludes that the West is canabilizing upon itself which occurs in all empowered nations that become drunk with their own power. Quite sad of a conclusion...and it doesn't help that I keep ordering these documentaries from Netflix. I have one in there now that I need to either watch or send back...its on children born in brothels to prostitutes in India. Why do I do this to myself? Because I think the dangers of not being aware are more hurting than being aware. Plus, art and faith, for me, are my soul food.
This is a poem I hear in my head often when I'm saddened by some event:
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I went down to the river,
I set down on the bank.
I tried to think but couldn't,
So I jumped in and sank.
I came up once and hollered!
I came up twice and cried!
If that water hadn't a-been so cold
I might've sunk and died.
But it was Cold in that water! It was cold!
I took the elevator
Sixteen floors above the ground.
I thought about my baby
And thought I would jump down.
I stood there and I hollered!
I stood there and I cried!
If it hadn't a-been so high
I might've jumped and died.
But it was High up there! It was high!
So since I'm still here livin',
I guess I will live on.
I could've died for love--
But for livin' I was born
Though you may hear me holler,
And you may see me cry--
I'll be dogged, sweet baby,
If you gonna see me die.
Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine!
Langston Hughes
The Poets always come to the rescue :) |
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That particular documentary (born in a brothel?)is quite wonderful but totally heartbreaking. I've seen it twice now.
ReplyDeleteI am with you. This country's leaders are breaking my heart. I am afraid that Peter is right. If you look back at history, it usually happens.
ReplyDeleteThe Poem is wonderful - we must "hangeth in."
sometimes these days i am embarrassed to say i am an american.
ReplyDeletenice poem. thanks.
Yes, poets shine a light on the path so that if we stumble, we will not perish..
ReplyDeleteBecause we do not pay attention to history, we are unaware that previous great republics have crumbled before ours.
The only true security is within, where Great Spirit resides
Just for today...be at peace.
Absolutely karoda, you've got to know what is going on in the world. No matter how much it hurts. We must at least bear witness! Act where you feel it makes a difference. And teach those younger than ourselves to do the same. Otherwise, we're really doomed! Thankful for poets who can express this in a more moving, immediate way than I am able to!
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