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Open Poetry #37
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Midnitesun
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since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia

0 posted 2006-02-27 08:52 PM


scape goats and escape goats
bleating and bleeding
as goats often do
when they've been set upon
and bled dry

do we ask why?
and do we ask what is fair?
what is just?
or do we just look and turn away
ashamed of our mutual fall from grace

In new New Orleans tonight
the mask is on, the masquerade continues.
But the people have need of this
or so, I am told,
that in the days of old New Orleans
they would party hearty for days and days
without a care about tomorrow

but that was then
this is now

and what of the scenery just blocks away
the ruins that daily remind us
of our failure to be there
in time, and yet...

we did reach out, we did provide so much,
but in times of such great disaster
our hands seem never to hold enough
and we are left praying for salvation's party.

so in a frenzy, we party tonight
to absolve ourselves, to allay our fears
that the city we knew as New Orleans
no longer exists, that she rolled out to sea
on Katrina's waving skirts.

Now we are left with a cleanup
that shall take a lifetime, I fear.
But does the government listen or hear
what the people say today
three blocks away from Mardi Gras way?

laissez le bontemps roulez


© Copyright 2006 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved
kayjay
Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon
1 posted 2006-02-27 09:49 PM


Ever striking the right note, Kacy, you remind all what is really needed.  Ken

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
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since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
2 posted 2006-02-27 11:14 PM


Thanks for taking time to read and comment, Ken.
The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
3 posted 2006-02-27 11:58 PM




So perfect. Well said Midnitesun.


OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
4 posted 2006-02-28 01:57 PM


It is so good to see the world through your eyes and with your kindness and concern and humanity and strength.  If Bush could be replaced with Midnitesun, we would all be so much happier!  Don't ever stop doing what you do.  You make a difference and you remind us to, as well.

- Owl

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

5 posted 2006-02-28 05:04 PM


I just love you Kacy, and what people fail to understand, is that we are STILL here.

I thought of you today as I watched some of the better costumers televised--there was a group of blind levee inspectors, with maps and canes--lots of those blue tarps when to good use for costuming, and just as I said in another thread, we here, who went through it, and continue to do so, have the audacity to mock every level of government.

One of my faves is a t-shirt that pokes fun of the New Orleans Police Department--NOPD--which now stands for "Not Our Problem Dude"--the looter scoothers were seethingly apparent as we nodded at the graverobbing that is still going on strong in this city.

One man's trash is another man's treasure, but those piles of garbage are filled with people's lives.

The problems that stem from the solutions are as maddening as the first three days of watching nothing being done. But today we feast, tomorrow we fast, vowing that after we blow off some steam, we will be a prouder, more responsible, better people.

And nod--it's less than a hundred days to hurricane season, as we face the problems of weather that doesn't seem to follow the old rules anymore. It's been a rather warm winter, and that alone, leaves with a grim reality of spending a summer with bags packed. But I am always gratified to find a caring heart, and yours is that, my dear friend.

The next catastrophe might be your own, and you seem to realize that.

Stay safe, and keep on fighting the good fight for our earth mother.

Thanks much for this.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
6 posted 2006-02-28 05:13 PM


Nice writing...James
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
7 posted 2006-02-28 05:30 PM


"Now we are left with a cleanup
that shall take a lifetime, I fear.
But does the government listen or hear
what the people say today
three blocks away from Mardi Gras way?"

Thanks for writing this, Kacy.   ...jo


Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
8 posted 2006-02-28 10:06 PM


Thank you each for reading and commenting, for the sake of the future of New Orleans and all the other gulf coast towns that suffered and have yet to begin to rebuild.
I hope these words offend no one but if they do? well, then they do...but we must not turn the other cheek, so-to-speak.
Hugs to you Karen, and we shall not leave you 'high and dry' as they say in the west...er, though maybe we should???
Karen, I love you too m'lady of Nawlins.

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