For Open Link night at dversepoets.com I am sharing what
I wrote after the opening of the Democratic Convention last night, as past meets present meets future. I hope all parties can agree on some things....
Convention hats, red white blue
I wrote after the opening of the Democratic Convention last night, as past meets present meets future. I hope all parties can agree on some things....
Convention hats, red white blue
Sea of hopeful tried true and new faces
remind me of Adlai, McGovern, and JFK,
my last high school debate, bygone races
Poignant reminders of "Coming Home"
Hot summer day protests cooled by hoses
I wore my navy cardigan to the podium
I wore my navy cardigan to the podium
to argue those whose view I opposed
Smart ladies have broken the mold
Last night they gave awesome addresses
Last night they gave awesome addresses
Mindful was I of '64, fiercely debating
the Vietnam war as senseless
the Vietnam war as senseless
Then history repeats itself 40 years later
Minds struggled to grasp for reason
Warned the enemy was dressed to kill
murder via the drill or treason?
World sent in a tailspin
Resonate speech by Bobby's prodigy
On stage again, promises of one family
Young minority candidates dot the scene
To carry the torch of our destiny
Pungent odors of musky convention floors
bind with a sense of deja vu'
This generation can turn the corner and succeed
where we only broke through
where we only broke through
No more needless wars that benefit few
rob us of our youth, consume all energy
Scenes at Kent State, a church in Alabama
Scenes at Kent State, a church in Alabama
perhaps instrumental in who delivered the key?
For those who marched with Martin,
for names engraved on a wall sacrificed
we must heed the words of our First Lady
Their worth measured, realized
for names engraved on a wall sacrificed
we must heed the words of our First Lady
Their worth measured, realized
The teacher paced in back of the classroom
rubbed his chin with his finger, nodding to agree
forced us to think, argue current events
rubbed his chin with his finger, nodding to agree
forced us to think, argue current events
I advocated transparency
Since 2000 I grieve innocent millions lost
Since 2000 I grieve innocent millions lost
I hung on for dear life to see the day
we made history by electing a new Captain
of our ship with a new communique'
Cities to rebuild, confidence to restore
opportunities to make
business doors to reopen
Laws and values to re-evaluate
of our ship with a new communique'
Cities to rebuild, confidence to restore
opportunities to make
business doors to reopen
Laws and values to re-evaluate
"Lessons learned, move forward"
There is truth to revive
new growth, better health care
Encourage new dreams to thrive
No doubt a gift for us to share
There is truth to revive
new growth, better health care
Encourage new dreams to thrive
No doubt a gift for us to share
with a united world
orchestrated by His hand so one day
only Global flags may
unfurl
orchestrated by His hand so one day
only Global flags may
unfurl
by klr
amen....love your points on us moving forward and staying out of senseless wars as well...we have enough to keep us busy here at home.....
ReplyDeleteWars never help ... the world would be so better with peace !!!
ReplyDeleteWe do need to move forward. I am not much behind you in age and so this piece--with its references to Vietnam--resonated---
ReplyDeleteTime to say "Lessons learned, move forward"...yes...it is...sad when history repeats itself again and again..time to think about how to build a better future
ReplyDeleteMost of the world needs a wake up call. Long ago we lost the way to live in peace and stop all the hatred. It will only stop when people stop worshiping money, greed and power.
ReplyDeleteYou make some really powerful and valid points in this.
The world brought to its knees, first the 9/11 now the impending global economic meltdown. Lots to do with survival of the fittest and the law of fire-power. How this to be resolved should be interesting in the run-up to the re-election! Nicely written,Kathy!
ReplyDeleteHank
I like your reflections...so much to do still despite the progress we have made ~ Forward march seems a good attitude ~
ReplyDelete