Entering the Seventh month of the New Power Regime
This is not a normal blog. These are not normal times…
What comes today – an acknowledgement of intense feelings all around me, of angry words, terrified words, words of mourning. Tears and nightmares. My clients, the protesters, the lawyers, those afraid of sudden deportation….
I went searching for poems – old poems, current poems – that give words and images to all these complicated and intense feelings. I think I need to write my own. Soon.
I listen to Jewish clients who are terrified, seeing the writing on the wall. Some people try to ignore the Big Picture and focus on the small daily things . . .the successes, the frustrations, the to-do list. Fear for children adopted from other countries. Fear of violent government power. The end of free speech and truthful news. The effect on the children….
Where are we Going?
We don’t know. We aren’t sure how far it will go… We don’t know how to stop this tide.
Will we drift? Will the cruelty, lawlessness, and power win the day? Will the rich run everything?
Will we find ways to block this path? Who will act, who will help? Us? You? The strong ones? Are there secret plans somewhere, to turn the tide towards Reason, Respect, Renewal of the Vision?
Will this end? When?
What inner and outer resources can we draw on to survive, to keep taking a stand, moving forward?
Poems to Reflect On, and Draw From
1) A loud voice of power
We Are Not Responsible by Harryette Mullen
We are not responsible for your lost or stolen relatives.
We cannot guarantee your safety if you disobey our instructions.
We do not endorse the causes or claims of people begging for handouts.
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
Your ticket does not guarantee that we will honor your reservations.
In order to facilitate our procedures, please limit your carrying on.
Before taking off, please extinguish all smoldering resentments.
If you cannot understand English, you will be moved out of the way.
In the event of a loss, you’d better look out for yourself.
Your insurance was cancelled because we can no longer handle
your frightful claims. Our handlers lost your luggage and we
are unable to find the key to your legal case.
You were detained for interrogation because you fit the profile.
You are not presumed to be innocent if the police
have reason to suspect you are carrying a concealed wallet.
It’s not our fault you were born wearing a gang color.
It is not our obligation to inform you of your rights.
Step aside, please, while our officer inspects your bad attitude.
You have no rights we are bound to respect.
Please remain calm, or we can’t be held responsible
for what happens to you.
(Copyright Credit: Harryette Mullen, “We Are Not Responsible” from Sleeping With The Dictionary. Copyright © 2002 by Harryette Mullen. Reprinted by permission of University of California Press.)
2) A gentle voice of guidance
The Way It Is by William Stafford (words of guidance….quoted prior on this Blog)
There’s a thread you follow.
It goes among things that change.
But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.