So I Listen

 

-------So I Listen-------

 

There is too much that I do not know

 

To think

I know 

a thing

 

And so I listen,

 

I laugh a lot

and give myself 

to wonder

 

Re-membering as I break open

 

That in humility 

there is 

wisdom

 

And a world in every seed.

 

-------

Soften

 

-------Soften-------

 

Where the forest 

meets the sea

 

I feel my edges soften

and heartbeat 

begin in rhythm

 

Like waves 

on ancient stone

 

And songwinds 

through 

the trees.

 

-------

Whose Land

 

-------Whose Land-------

 

You say that this is public land

but who is allowed 

to be here?

 

Before the gates

and ticket-takers,

the rules on posted signs,

 

This was not a sight 

to see and leave

but a place where people lived.

 

Laws 

can make up walls

around the commons

 

And when they do -

when they starve the Earth 

of human love -

 

They will 

and must 

be broken.

 

For there is medicine to be gathered.

The sea and forest abound 

with food.

 

But I will not ask 

of you 

permission.

 

All I ask

is that you ask

yourself

 

To remember

whose land

you are on.

 

-------

 

Moon River

------Moon River-------

On full nights 

I imagine

where the moon river 

might take me

If I were 

to be more humble

and surrender

to the wonder of the Sea.

-------

Anthem

-------Anthem-------

 

How can a country built on theft

of land and stolen labor

 

Continue to this day to claim

it is home 

of the brave and free?

 

There is a reckoning

in order

 

A time for love and reparation

to be that anthem 

of which we sing.

 

-------

Disarm

-------Disarm-------

What is it 

you protect 

and serve?

Whose order 

do you

keep?

For we can see 

beneath 

your armor,

Behind your badges 

and 

the game -

The white and rich

have got 

your favor,

Turned you 

on the Earth

and poor.

But please 

remember 

you are a person

Bone and blood

like the rest 

of us

Able to choose

and to

exchange

Your weapon

for your

humanity.

-------

An Ode to Abolition

-------An Ode to Abolition-------

It is not

so much

an absence

But a presence

for which

I dream.

For a world without violence,

without fear

or "other",

Can only be

if first 

there is intention

To love

in a revolutionary

way.

-------