Pirates

400 wall street pirates
have horded more wealth
than the entire population of America combined
is this the American dream?
economic oppression

when hospitals won't help you
when schools rob you
when there are children starving in the streets
people without homes
is this progress?
is this just?

and while our beds burn
and capitalists suck the life blood out of the 3rd world
young men and women
patrol the world
"defending" the empire from it's supposed "enemies"

the empire has no clothes
yet every channel on TV
shovels the same shit
in epic proportions

we all run on the hamster wheel
driven by fear
terrorized by the wolves at the door
without knowing that we are the wheels of the machine
and when we stop - it does too

slavery was never abolished, just modified into a "friendlier" classism
yet why should anyone have so much, when so many have none?

how could one person ever need a billion dollars?
why should the public assets
line the pockets of the ruling elite?

Viva la (R)evoltion!

culture shock

tropical sun
tight pants
dust, dirt, and diesel
loud music
everyone is dancing

fashion
yet there is no elitism
only pride
and culture
like i have never seen

there is an ambience in the air
a song
a triumph
we are free
we are a strong people
with our feet on the ground
committed to peace and equality
this is justice
this is socialism

minding our own business
not "fighting terrorism" over seas
not "cutting social services"
or repressing natural process
or neglecting the earth on which we depend

not perfect
but embracing change
embracing the struggle to reform
to rebuild our relationship with each other and the earth
dancing and feasting
celebrating life

walking the path of history
yet knowing we can make our own
the foundation is laid
yet we can choose the paint to color the canvas

to pick up where others have left
to continue the process of evolution
driving an old car
with a new motor
with new passengers

i am the driver
i am the wheel
and i am turning
sweating with excitement
with anticipation for the journey
which can not unfold
except to those
who choose to step into the fray
into the streets
with the wind in your hair

may you find the songs
ringing in your ears
and the smell of freedom
that sweet dream
that is real
only if you step out of your own prison
out of the barriers in your mind

echoing in the halls of ideology
is an old thought
that manifests in the soil
in the air that you breath
like a shower of rain after a long drought
may you taste the blessings
of the fruit
which you plant
in the reality
of a new paradigm
raw
real
reasonable
yet completely radical

beyond baby steps
you find this shift
in the fabric of consciousness
in the substance of freedom
the true liberation is now
is the moment
you decide when
and where

i choose now
and here

viva la (r)evoltion

i see now

i see now

that life is a journey
not a destination

and as we grow
our challenges do as well

yet each challenge is an opportunity
and each mountain we climb gives us a new perspective

and as we abandon fear
we find ourselves


free

and we laugh
at what we once feared

looking up to me

i remember when you were 3 years old
you wished the care bears were real
and they were your friends
that night we looked in awe
at the christmas lights
and drank hot cocoa
and i held your little hand

how i miss that little boy
how i miss those days
when you were my life
and i was your dad

now you are a young man
and i'm so proud of you
i will never forget
the love in your eyes
when you looked up to me

i'm sorry for hurting you
i wish i could make it up to you
just know that i did the best i could
and you have taught me well

thank you for showing me
how to love myself
you are the greatest gift
and i love you more
than life itself

i miss you when you go away
and i hope to see you soon
i want to be your best friend
i promise to do my best

i want you to feel the joy
and love i have for you
i want to be the best father
i want to be gentle and kind

forgive me when i fail
and lose my cool
forgive me for when i turn away
and i can't see you

i want you to know
that i'm always here for you
and i'd do anything for you
you are my little angel
looking up to me

i don't feel worthy
of all your blessings
but i want nothing more
than to be with you