This diary is dedicated to the Occupiers everywhere whose very presence marks a shift in our global consciousness. I've been to Occupy Chicago and was moved by the sense of unity and joy there. The spirit of it is infectious and hasn't left me since. I hope you all get a chance to get out to one close to you and see it for yourselves.
Join us every Monday evening for drinks at the Daily Kos community political poetry club. Drop by and speak your mind in rhyme or blank verse. Poetry is always welcome in the comments. Let’s use language to scream our passion to the world. Bongos, berets and turtle neck sweaters are optional. The keypad is mightier than the sword.
The drummers were simply magical.
Skyscraper Soundscapes
Whirling dervishes of
drumbeats swirl and echo
up the canyons of city streets
Alive
Drummers painting soundscapes
into passersby
calling all to join
The dance
Joy and passion
coalesced in driving
primal beats
I sway and look
upon my city
Changed
As rhythms swell and break
Drummers weaving souls
together in a tapestry
of sound
©2011, SM
The unity and spirit of community among the diverse swath of protesters is amazing. It's a balm upon the fear and stress of individual situations that might otherwise lead to isolation. Like a port in the stormy sea of uncertainty currently affecting so many lives, the occupy events are re-energizing and, at least for me, it was a happy and unifying experience.
My Nation, My Tribe
Battered by forces
Unseen
The stress cracks open
wounds in the fabric of a life
once solid, splendid and full
We dreamed a dream of
houses, cars and pretty things
Now dashed into a pile
of bills unpaid
Engulfed in a financial
Freefall
Where is the bottom?
Once we looked upon
the faces of the homeless
pitied their plight and
dropped some change
into their cups
And now recalling
their worn faces
we catch out breaths
Wondering
Will this be me
collecting change in cups
on frozen streets
all hope extinguished?
Rise up
We cannot melt into
the shadows of this nation’s
cities and towns unseen
The titans of finance
who stole our dreams
should see us massed
beneath their windows
and hear our voices
against these forces
tearing at our nation
our lives
our future
They cannot isolate us
in shame and fear
The nation is my tribe
We are the 99%
©2011, SM
I don't know if I can adequately express the sense of community at these events. These are about as far from "angry mobs" as you can get. There is such a spirit of goodness and caring there you just can't help soaking up some of the happy vibe.
Together
Active, smiling faces
greet me
at every turn
A sense of unity
infused throughout
There is kindness here
We march, we chant
we laugh, we sing
among the protest signs
There is peace here
My heart is full
to overflowing
as my mind dances
with the rhythm of
the chanting crowd
There is joy here
Come join us
©2011, SM
I look forward to your comments. Thanks for being here this week.