Reclaim Patriotism (On Tyranny)

RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: ON TYRANNY

 

Reclaim Patriotism

 

Tyranny flies under the flag of patriotism

Authoritarians always lay claim

But if we live in a true democracy

There is no greater lie

And can be no greater shame

 

The cry of patriotism fuels the lies of war

Demands the sacrifice of basic rights

Justifies unspeakable crimes

Defends the indefensible

Leads to internal strife

 

It is time to redefine patriotism

It is time to reclaim the flag

 

A patriot believes in the nation

For what it represents

Not unconditionally like lemmings

Marching blindly into the sea

But for what the nation stands for

And for what it proudly could be

 

A patriot defends the nation and her flag

Against those who would abuse her

Fomenting violence and immoral acts

Committing injustice in her name

And demanding we excuse her

 

A patriot knows and upholds

The bill of rights

Against pretenders who never read

Past the second amendment

 

A patriot stands for free and fair elections

The foundation of our democracy

Without regard for the outcome

But with respect for the ballot box

 

A patriot supports a free press

Including mainstream media

Especially when it conflicts

One’s own beliefs

 

A patriot raises a hand

Takes an oath to democracy

And swears to defend it

Against all enemies

 

(Based on Timothy Snyder's excellent pamphlet.)

Bodies in the Ganges

 RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: CORONAVIRUS SERIES

Bodies in the Ganges

 

Bodies float down the Ganges

By the dozens by the scores

The result of too many corpses

To bury or burn and mourn

 

Take care it does not happen here

It can and surely will

If we do not heed the warnings

Our cemeteries will be filled

 

We have declared victory

Just as India and Brazil did

They opened the doors of commerce

They took the highest bids

 

Now there are bodies in the Ganges

There are loved ones left forlorn

And there are leaders in Mumbai

Whom the people have come to scorn

 

Fight Back

 RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: POEMICS

Fight Back

 

Resist

Fight back

Seize the day

Let them know

There will be a price to pay

 

A landlord serves eviction notice

To a community of seniors

In a recreational vehicle park

They have nowhere to go

But they cannot stay

 

Resist

Fight back

Stand in their way

Let them know

There will be a price to pay

 

A Canadian oil company

Wants to drive a pipeline

Straight through Indian land

They claim there is

No other way

 

Resist

Fight back

Seize the day

Let them know

There will be a price to pay

 

A coal company stakes claim

To a beautiful lake in Michigan

The land the air the water

The wildlife and ecosystem

All will be thrown astray

 

Resist

Fight back

Seize the day

Let them know there will always be

A price to pay

 

Everywhere injustice raises its ugly head

Everywhere greed and avarice

Fill our pipes with lead

Every time the one percent

Bumps the price of bread

We must rise as one to say:

 

Resist

Fight back

Seize the day

Let them all know

There is always a price to pay

 

America Never Leaves

 RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: GLOBAL POLITICS

America Never Leaves

 

When the president announces an end to war

We take him at his word

We forget he’s not the first to promise

He is in fact the third

 

We did not leave the Philippines

We did not leave Japan

We did not leave Nicaragua

We did not leave the Nam

We did not leave Iraq

We have not left Iran

We will not leave Afghanistan

And we do not give a damn

 

We go to war where money talks

Not caring who it grieves

When America goes to war beware

America will not leave

 

So be wary if you want our help

There is something up our sleeve

When this mighty nation goes to war

We are not inclined to leave

 

Burning Books in Berlin

 RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: POEMICS

Burning Books in Berlin

 

People say it cannot happen

The deplorables can never win

The Nazi movement got its start

Burning books in Berlin

 

America is not so different

We’ve elected the worst of men

Men who sabotaged democracy

They stand ready to do it again

 

They gather by tens of thousands

Not knowing it’s a cardinal sin

To steal the vote from the opposition

Like burning books in Berlin

 

It seems we’ve turned the page on history

Tossed it in the garbage bin

Or placed the book on a raging fire

Like the Nazi’s in Berlin

Don't Panic (On Tyranny)

 RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: ON TYRANNY

Don’t Panic

 

Inevitably

That which we fear will happen

Must happen

In the course of time

In the unfolding of events

In the race against the darkness

Don’t panic

Remain calm

 

Those who would deny your freedom

And steal you rights

Are counting on your reflex

At the next cataclysmic event

Don’t panic

Remain calm

Keep your feet on the ground

And your faculties intact

 

For there will always be cataclysmic events

And people who wish to exploit them

For humans are an unscrupulous lot

Of power seeking women and men

 

Bush the Younger and old Dick Cheney

Exploited September eleven

Vlad the Bad exploited numerous threats

It’s been going on forever and ever

At least since nineteen and seven

 

The storming of the Capitol Building

Is the latest in tragic exploitation

The call goes out for new laws

To strip away our civil liberties

To conquer domestic terror

 

Don’t panic

Remain calm

Remember the Patriot Act

Remember the names they called us

For opposing

 

Of course there are homegrown terrorists

Of course they pose a threat

But ask yourself: 

Do our security forces

Need any more power

To spy on our fellow citizens?

 

Don’t panic

Remain calm

Proceed in due caution 

 

 (Based on Timothy Snyder's excellent pamphlet)

I Remember Mama (on Mothers Day)

 RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: LIFE SONGS

Remembering Mama

 

I remember mama every time

I drive down the same road I drove

On my way to visit her at home

 

I remember mama every time

I see an easy rolling creek

Or majestic Sierra pines

Or old barns and rusted tractors

Like the ones she painted

With so much love and tenderness

 

I remember mama every time

I order cobbler or bread pudding

At an old time restaurant

That never seems to know

How to make it right

 

I remember mama every time

I see a game of scrabble

A deck of cards for pinochle

Rummy or Hoof and Mouth

And someone smiles like she did

When she scored a big hand

Or a seven letter word

 

I remember mama every time

I need an understanding ear

Or someone who will not judge

But will listen and nod her head

Knowing she is pleased just

To be here with her son

 

I remember mama all the time

 

Wishing you were here