It's My Blog, Just Posting it Because I Can
The Trade
We are broken,
America,
all of us.
The State of imbalance,
ready to tip and fall
into the black abyss of crumbled empires
and ruptured spleens
of the body politic.
It is not enough, anymore,
to learn the truth of
blood stained streets and mass murder.
Our shores are covered with crimson lies.
They wash over fields,
drowning amber waves of grain
in their search for justice.
Prisons are built
with the mortar
of my name,
to hold people
who once believed
in the democracy here.
There is nothing to believe in anymore.
Lady Liberty’s light has gone out
(threats of terrorism have closed it down,
the stairs are off limits
and liberty is out of reach.)
A soldier,
who traded his arms
for the shackles of resistance
told me why:
“we have traded our humanity for patriotism.”
-Anjha
September 09. 2006
We are broken,
America,
all of us.
The State of imbalance,
ready to tip and fall
into the black abyss of crumbled empires
and ruptured spleens
of the body politic.
It is not enough, anymore,
to learn the truth of
blood stained streets and mass murder.
Our shores are covered with crimson lies.
They wash over fields,
drowning amber waves of grain
in their search for justice.
Prisons are built
with the mortar
of my name,
to hold people
who once believed
in the democracy here.
There is nothing to believe in anymore.
Lady Liberty’s light has gone out
(threats of terrorism have closed it down,
the stairs are off limits
and liberty is out of reach.)
A soldier,
who traded his arms
for the shackles of resistance
told me why:
“we have traded our humanity for patriotism.”
-Anjha
September 09. 2006
posted by Anjha @ 1:43 PM
5 Comments:
At 1:48 PM, September 09, 2006,
Anjha said…
I have a friend who says that political poetry is invalid. Her brain is washed with memories of St. Reagan and she really does not understand that there are some things that government can and should do.
So, I will write political poetry - her opinion be damned.
At 3:23 PM, September 09, 2006,
Anonymous said…
Anjha, It wouldn't be "Si se puede?" with a question mark. It would be "Si se puede!", exclamation mark! Much more powerful, "It Can Happen!"
At 6:00 PM, September 09, 2006,
Change said…
I found this thing just lying around. Don't know who wrote it. Mind if I stick it here?
I think many positive "we-the-people" type phrases (slogan, rallying cry, mottos) are imperative to ensure conveyance of meaningful ideals and concepts to a vast and diverse population. Equally important, I think Democratic Party leaders have a responsibility to pen these phrases so democratic voters are armed with the words they need to simply explain their reasons for supporting a Democratic candidate. These phrases should afford voters the ability to outline, highlight, and define the Democratic Party’s intentions to improve the lives of all US citizens. In order for a voter to engage in political discourse, he/she must have a defensible position they can argue with confidence and conviction. Otherwise, how else will voters manage to influence friends and family to “vote democrat”?
These phrases must hold promises. First, each and every US voter needs a promise that when they vote for a democratic candidate, they vote to improve their individual circumstances. Secondly, each voter must be assured that the wellbeing of his/her family and community members depends upon electing democratic candidates. Voters must believe that they will be valued as individuals, have improved quality of life, job security & opportunity, national security, medicine and schools for their children, free from discrimination, fairly taxed, earn fair wages, etc … Those are just a few examples of what the “we the people” phrases should promise.
Others slogans in support of the democratic party must carry promises of what will happen if republicans continue to lead our government. A few possibilities are draft, poverty, education and health care $$$ stolen, youth and elderly programs eliminated, broad discrimination, efforts to criminalize poverty, elimination of ins./retirement workplace benefits, failure of fed retirement system, hunger, STDs, high infant mortality, criminalization of humanitarian/charitable efforts, criminals in office, etc…
Are Democratic Party leaders afraid to make promises to the people? Republican Leaders sure don’t have a problem with it. They promise us that we don’t need to protect species or habitat. They can make environmental preservation look like we’re wasting our god given resources. Just as a mother might insist her child, “clean your dinner plate,” before leaving the table, they would have us believe god wants us to consume all earth’s natural resources before we can leave it. It’s outrageous, yes; but some people do believe it, tout it, and convince others that it is the truth.
Repubs, unapologetically, demand the votes of many with only a few key words, and promises of heaven for compliance, or hell for disobedience. Repubs use Joshua’s horn to call for the defeat of Democrats. They swear the US must wage war to avoid war, that education destroys Christian values, and tolerance destroys families. Repubs promise to deliver a “Norman Rockwell” life, the same one, they promise Democrats will obliterate. Repubs convince women that they have no rights over what happens to their own bodies while preventing them access to birth control, women’s health care, and childcare. Women are discouraged from or scolded for becoming wage earners, told that it is too demanding, and convinced it will interfere with their wifely duties and child bearing/raising obligations-their true purpose in life. Republicans secure votes from some women by promising that their lives will be easier if financially dependent on their husband. Republicans threaten voters with promises that only a Republican administration can protect them. When voters have concerns, repubs use their key words, abortion and homosexuals, to distract and redirect attention toward Democrats. Democrats must not allow themselves to continue to be goaded into repub debates on topics they choose, whenever they choose. Democrats must resist distraction, lead, and force consideration of their own concerns and principles.
If Democratic leaders believe they will better serve all citizens of this country, than they must, with conviction, promise to do so. If we believe that the Democratic candidates we select will improve conditions for all the citizens in the US we must find a way to state it clearly. Infinite potential variables will prevent 100% attainment of this goal, but the promise must be made and pursued. I believe we can reclaim our lost rights, morale, pride, and security. That belief is based on reasons that I regard as fact based and logical. Democrats must find the words for memorable slogans/mottos/phases that will garner interest, persuade voters, and give them a reason to fight. Each voter must feel they’ve been issued a personal guarantee that, over time, his/her life will be improved by electing Democratic political leaders.
At 8:04 PM, September 09, 2006,
Change said…
You know, lately, everytime when I worry that I may have overdramatized a bit, I tend to find that I did just the opposite.
At 10:11 AM, September 10, 2006,
Anjha said…
OTF - I do not believe that any current commentary can be over-dramatized. It is all intense drama.
It is bloody and inhumane.
Your comments on the necessary speech that Dems must use is very accurate and necessary.
Kerry did a tremendous job this morning on Late Edition. We need more of this.
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