Democratic Joy

What influences the lover of life to deepen
deepen
and not extend the grip of death to all
as is done now by our Commander-
in-Chief, indeed
beating the drums of war to
a deafening posture
some dimwit from Texas
confusedly elected President
is not my Commander, my Commander
is the God of Love
some egotistical pip-squeak from
Texas
is not my Chief, my Chief is
the Grace of Love
the Spirit of Independence
The Patriot dance of the pioneering
spirit
my Grandmother & Grandfather
moving to New Mexico with
their two kids
in a wagon all the way
from Kansas
to farm and teach school
and build with curiosity
a family and a voting community
wherever they were, following
the Church of their Spirit
and not following any popular
demand
without questioning.
When the drums of war for
some personal vendetta
beat, beat
for the little martinet at the helm
who thinks he doesn’t have to
explain his actions
the ego the hubris of all
vain leaders
floats to his brain like ghosts
of the past
hell-bent on blind sighted power
eliminating the opposition
and heading down the path
of power and the wealthy.
This is an Anti-Nature God
a dictatorial tactic
to beat us all into destruction
and ignite what’s left of peace
into war of the spirit
and death of the planet.
We need a new era of Openness
and not closure.
Secrecy only leads to misdirection.
Oh questioners question
and democracy lift your spirit
to resist this megalomania,
we each one expressing ourselves
could be a new beginning as we must
always begin
in freshness amazing all
with our delight in Nature
our connections with building
community
and giving a hand to help up
the sick and poorer than us.
I only have myself to
react to this evil bombing will
and I don’t think it’s enough.
I have to speak out,
what the bloody hell are we doing
what is my country ’tis of thee.
Are the wealthy and their gated
communities
the goal of every American?
What about the rest of us.
Who is our real Commander
if not within the Spirit of Love
who is our true Chief
if not the benefactor of the
Earth
and singer of the stars?
The mystics and saints of love
the peaceful resistence that
changes countries in India & America
and now the world.
Lead us oh true leader
to vote our way out of this
misery.
Bring us to understanding of
those in other places other countries
other behaviors, other daily problems.
May we become friends through
discussion and dialogue
endless dialog
and eliminate blame from the arsenal
of our vocabulary.
May we weaken retaliation by
not retaliating,
listen, listen, listen without
vengeance
until the talker is talked out
and there is a silence that
the Grace of Love fills.
Let that be my leader, the deepest
listening of all
where our spirits join
in democratic joy.
The pioneering spirit of democratic joy.


/4Dec2002