Forum Post: Where are the poets?
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 7, 2011, 9:33 a.m. EST by sleonard
(54)
from Cranford, NJ
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
I have spent time at Liberty Square, met many creative people and heard their thoughts on this movement. I see so many people writng in journals and notebooks. We need to give a public voice to this. I want to get people together and have them share their writings on their experiences with the occupation. Anybody up for it? Maybe we could do something this weekend. Many people I met this week expressed the same thoughts. Lets get it going. Share your ideas.
Im a warrior poet with a simple message of salvation for all good people. check it out at everypoet.net geosafaree's blog
Im a warrior poet with a simple message of salvation for all good people. check it out at everypoet.net geosafaree's blog
the poetry is in the movement. just look and listen!
have you tried to making a living as a writer or poet of late? the u.s. is hardly conducive to supporting the arts. so it's a play on the ol' starving artist quip. ows is poetic -- overall -- in it's approach, vision and everyday actions. so consider it a beautifully poetic movement.
Very insightful. After spending my first couple days there I felt that the movement was in a 'poetic' stage, best understood in that sense. Perhaps it will become more prosaic later or at least some aspects of it. Yes, I write to live, but teach to eat. Not starving but struggling.
pls know i support anyone who believes in writing about it, no matter the form. i was being a bit glib, in a kind manner, that creatives don't have the easiest time in this country. do write! march with poetic signs. perhaps you could ask for submission and print up a book of works from ows and either sell it to support the cause or hand it out. you've my support. remember, the pen is mightier than.... apologies if my comment seemed off. mary oliver! antonio machado! allen ginsberg! WRITE!
We have a living anthology at the library and it's growing all the time.
that is, humble thanks to YOU for being a teacher. word drop.
great! this movement has inspired so much compassion. my hope is that people begin to let down their guards and know that the only way forward is to support one another. humble thanks to for being a teacher. meant most sincerely. and libraries -- heaven on earth. all best to you!
Stay with us, the long haul is always the hardest part.
absolutely! not leaving. on environmental front, take a look at something called "wild ethics" (google it) have a sense that things are also moving in that direction.
all in good time.
I went to the site and it was really beautiful and informative. To keep this quick I basically agree with its message. Sometimes I worry that we are too late. But I guess we can't give up the struggle. I am continually amazed at all the vital powerful people that are out there fighting the good fight. Thanks.
starving.
all in good time!
????
I am a poet
Post a poem you think might relate to what this is all about. Check out the other posts here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHRSLv50PQs occupy wall St the song and slide show Lyrics by Mike Foley All Music by Wes Davey
Awesome video. I recognize a lot of those people. I am totally blown away at the amazing artistic contributions that have been posted here. Thanks so much.
glad you liked it. its' had over 500 views on youtube so i think the blues/funk is catching on. I wrote the lyrics and Wes did all the music. We had said blues/funk was the goal, i think he pulled it off. It was played on a local radio station today
I think its a great vid and song and represents the movement very well.
Lonely trolls with money rolls, no need to knead their hands cause the sands always weigh in their favor. Home prices blow, stock markets in woe, jobs disappearing making us fearing a future unknown, drive by pick up a sign, raise it high, join up with occupy. For our future, for our past, get here fast, make it last for the movement is here, kick it into gear, meet your peers, share your tears and stand up for yourself and everyone else, join the crowd make it loud, for hope comes with you. For the larger the crew the more News vans we woo, change is coming and it's not in the form of a politician, it's you.
Owsartist@gmail.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/owsartist/6239425592/in/photostream
Thanks for your words. I would love to hear them read aloud. I also went to your link and may print out your artwork to use on a sign.
There are some amazing, funny and weird things going on here. Thanks all!
Listen my children
And you shall hear
Of the bankers on Wall Street,
Who trembled in fear.
Your poem will be included in the next update of the living anthology.
That is very kind of you. I appreciate you including me in what is going on. I wrote it... because you asked. So, you deserve all the credit. :oD
I deserve a little credit.....But what's really gratifying is the response from people such as yourself.
The bus pulls out, for mornin' routes,
On empty streets;
As the Cops rouse up the Homeless
On the sidewalks sound asleep
And it's... no surprise...
A world away, one Soldier makes
His Country proud;
As the bullets rip the air
He calls his Savior's name out loud
And it's... no surprise...
When one man makes his fortune
While a million more go hungry;
With the layoffs and the payoffs
In the name of God and Country--
Singin' "Glory Hallelujah!" we go marchin' on
Never askin' why
We don't hear the Angels sing
When Freedom rings...
Young Mother tears her son
Out of his Father's hands
She says, "Every other week-end
You might see the Boy again."
And it's... no surprise...
It's no surprise...
When one man makes his fortune
While a million more go hungry;
With the layoffs and the payoffs
In the name of God and Country
Singin' "Glory Hallelujah!" we go marchin' on
Never askin' why
We don't hear the Angels sing
When Freedom rings...
My Sister called me cryin'
When my Mother passed away
Then the Doctors hired their Lawyers
To collect on Bills unpaid.
Now I can't find my Brothers
Or the place that we called Home
The distance grew between us
When I struck out on my own
Singin' "Glory Hallelujah!" boys it's no surprise
Men like you and I
We don't hear the Angels sing...
Don't ask me why,
We don't hear the Angels sing...
When Freedom rings...
When Freedom rings...
Very retro!
The O.W.S.
Was growing in number
And awakened the crooks
From a greed-drunken slumber
I happen to be a fan of old school verse and appreciate what you're doing. I will try to copy this into a united form and contribute it to the weekly poetry zine we're doing at the square.
I already posted the entire poem on a Post called: "The Midnight Ride... of the O.W.S." Did you see it this morning? The poem is modeled after the epic poem, "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere". Man, you should see the comments of a Wall Street executive who attacked me. He was pissed!
Just got back from Liberty Square, trying to prevent our removal. I'll look for your post later. Yeah - I've had a few forum run ins with some Wall Street types. Kind of fun actually.
Interesting, that he told me Zucotti park was "his" park. And I suggested to him that it would be 'positive' PR for him to support the Wall Street protesters... give them a place to live... provide tents and sleeping bags... and maybe even get a few Corporate sponsors to provide food and water. Then he could begin an open dialogue with OWS and, by the grace of God, come to some kind of understanding and agreement. Ironically, 24 hours later, the Park backed out of its plan to use the NYPD to force-ably remove you guys from the area. And, I just read a Mainstream Media article entitled, "The OWS Protesters need a few Corporate sponsors." Ha!
It was a tense morning and I don't think it's over yet. However, tomorrow is a BIG day, protests around the world. I going to look for your poem now.
Woody Guthrie~ All You Fascists Bound To Lose http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwcKwGS7OSQ
come on out America feel free to let down you hair let caution go and you juices flow.... and try to grow a pair
Roses are red Violets are blue I went down to the protest and caught me the flu
sage...
Roses are red Violets are blue I went down to the protest and caught me the flu
sage...
Maybe it was allergies.
Then the sickle of Justice
Cut wheat from the chaff
As the hammer of Vengeance
Broke the Bull from its Calf
the US WAR economy
.
.,
oh china for precious fire works,
lend a buck to me
for burst and busts and sky tumbling crust
and expanding canopies.
The sky is falling!
And the Liars and Cheats
Were no more in the Land
After Judgment was served
With a most Heavy Hand.
Thanks for your poem. I love how it touches on the beautiful simplicity of a moment when people are shaken out of their normal environment.
"What you've done is a crime!"
The Protesters growled
But the Bankers stood firm
As the winter winds howled.
not long ago
the electricity went oust all across San Diego county for about 16 hours
,
,
when the lights went down in San Diego
the stars shone through the gray
the people came out to walk along the main drag
down to the beach
.
and the moon was shining
just a night from almost full
the people were laughing and smiling in her light
when electricity failed
.
It's sad, oh
there's been warnings
of looters around without laws
without the lights
but people were friendly, everyone that I came by
http://voltic.com/P/recordings/When_the_Li...n_San_Diego.wav
Where are the freaking poems! Damn you OWS can't even produce enough material to entertain me....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WBHic2Ea_8
I've posted something on my web site that may qualify as a "prose-poem." There are elements of both forms, and it's from a remote perspective.
Feel free to include it:
http://www.desolationpress.com/essays/occupy.html
I read your piece and there is a lot of good sense in it. I'll pass it on to the editor. Thanks for your thoughts.
please read this . the energy is there, and we should use it to the fullest potential
http://itsallcosmic.com/2011/10/04/pluto-in-capricorn/
The Faux Revolutionaries want Poets mmmm How about some Tofu and Sylvia Plaith. Anybody real out there ? WWW.JUSTICEFORTHECHILDREN.ORG CHRIS@CHRISHEPBURN.COM
Here's a poem....
Roses are red, violets are blue, some dude shat on a police car, now what should we do?
Hahaha. I'm for the movement, but that's a funny poem.
Don't define the actions of the movement by the actions of an individual. The majority of people at the Square have been polite, civil, and respectful.
"We're not the bad guys!"
"We're rich and you need us!"
"And Washington guaranteed;
You won't defeat us!"
But we will defeat them!
There needs to be more media interface on occupywallst.org
more youtube videos!
I want to thank everyone for their input. We found the poets last night. There was a spirited reading near the library. Keep an eye out for a collection of poems/writing on the occupation.
And Children still sing
Of the Brave souls who led
More than 300 Million strong
From the once living-dead.
Right! I think the true patriots are with us.
I wrote this a few years ago...its a start. Let's see some others.
The Fool
The path beyond beckons and calls, am I a fool to leave these halls?
The king doth speak: "heed not those calls, only a fool would climb these walls. The path beyond the king's own walls, is filled with fools that heed these calls."
Yet, all the walls of the kings own halls, do not fool these longing calls.
The path doth speak beyond the walls: "a fool thou art in the king's own halls. The path of walls within the king's halls, is filled with fools heeding not these calls."
Yet, all the calls that fill these halls, do not echo the fool of walls.
The fool doth speak beyond the walls: "thee are fooled by these halls. Tis the king thee hear beyond the calls, he alone can pass these walls."
The evolutionary shift of human consciousness requires the kingly courage of a lion and taking risks . Listen to your inner self and not the royal elite of government and religion whose goal is to crush your spirit and thereby prevent you from climbing above the walls of your own fears. The path and your spiritual self are calling out to you. You have a longing to move forward, and you know at an intuitive level that the pathetic groans of the masses do not echo your own feelings. Have courage, heed the call and climb those walls!
What you're going to see that has the most impact is fringe members writing narratives of their limited involvement and selling those texts as explanatory philosphies on the movement- oon which they have no ability to contribute.
Sleonard, go ahead, this isn't bad at all for starters!
There was a reading last night. I couldn't read the piece you sent due to very limted time. I did think of you and your support. It was a great evening and the square was filled with more people than ever.
I'm glad that you found sufficient support to organize the poetry event so soon. Did you read anything apart from the poems that people have posted in this thread? If so, is there any chance you might make these texts accessible to people who cannot attend? Will there be more readings? Sorry for asking you all these questions, I suppose I'm what Madhusudana (above) calls "a fringe member with limited involvement".
Actually none of the poems from the thread were read. People showed up and read one poem each. We are putting together a collection of works related to the occupation and may include some of these posted poems. There is a reading each Friday at nine by the library. Don't apologize for your questions, they are relevant and valid. Not everyone can be at the center and the fact that you are watching and participating is important. In your own way you may find the path to a broader commitment. Be well. I did enjoy the peom you posted!
AN OILING WE WILL GO
VERSE1
underneath the sea
your well may seem to be
like a blooming black plume belching smoke in the sky
though the smoke is rather thick
all the sea creature are sick
and don't eat the fish unless you're looking to die
CHORUS
drill deep offshore
an oiling we will go
we will go an oiling a spoiling away
blown high down low
the oil it will spill
for many a many a long long day
for many a many a long long day
VERSE2
some are quick to blame BP
but we give them our money
cause if you're stuck in a rut a car can help you get free
and when you're a rush
who wants to ride the bus
so let's raise a toast to the oil industry
VERSE3
the second largest proven reserve
everyone got what they deserved
and everyone knows that gasoline ain't free
and if you want some more
you'd best declare a war
and sell them a bit of selfish democracy
By Matt Holck, © 2010, All rights reserved.
Eric Allen Bell. He has a poetry video out called "LISTEN".
Throughout the world more and more of 'The People' are fighting the good fight for freedom and equality. For some this fight will cost them their lives. In difficult and painful times sometimes all you have to get you through to the next day is your dreams. So the most important thing every American can do to help the people in The Middle East and Africa or anywhere else people are in a life and death battle over beliefs... is to prove just how beautiful The Dream can be when you are the one who is free! http://www.facebook.com/pages/WAY/271453272871592
AXE MAN
Let me tell you how it will be;
I'm here to trim the labor tree
'Cause I'm the axman,
Yeah, I'm the axman.
Should two point five appear too small,
Be thankful that you work at all.
'Cause I'm the axman,
Yeah, I'm the axman.
(if you work hard) - I'll stack the heap;
(if you stand around) - you're on the street;
(if you catch a cold, cold) - you'll need receipts;
(and when you walk) - My jobs complete.
axman!
'Cause I'm the axman,
Yeah, I'm the axman.
Don't ask me what I want it for, (ah-ah, mister Wilson)
Just knell down and kiss the floor (ah-ah, mister heath)
'Cause I'm the axman,
Yeah, I'm the axman.
Now my advice for those who quit, (axman)
You better keep your etiquette . (axman)
'Cause I'm the reference,
Yeah, I'm the axman.
And you're working for no one but me.
axman!
JUAN GIL-ALBERT: "ILLUSTRIOUS POVERTY"
Life is idleness. I leave in the morning
to go to a suburban garden on the other side
of a waterway in the shadows
of perennial banana trees. There I find
peace and quietness. Soon I get distracted
watching a little bird picking at breadcrumbs
that someone left yesterday
in the grass. I have a book to keep me company.
"From the fountain of pleasures", I decipher,
opening it on the page where I left
the petal of a flower as a bookmark.
I try to translate and to concentrate
on this complicated mechanism of translation:
"...something springs up, something bitter", like a piece of marble
that weighs on my hands, "that afflicts us
even in the midst of the flowers." I raise my eyes
and repeat by heart the wise nectar
of the ancient poet: "From the fountain of pleasures
something springs up, something bitter,
that afflicts us even in the midst of the flowers."
With this I have enough. I go back at about noon
and my house, high up, as always,
opens its short and distrustful arms
like everything that is weak and precarious.
On the table some fruit, bread, a jug of water,
golden olive oil, a lump of salt.
I look out of the window, in the distance
a stream of dark vehicles,
where the aspirations of mankind are merging
with the old and far-sighted ants.
My mother says: "Everything has been spent.
Nothing is left. What shall we do?" And a cloud
of light surrounds me, like a promise
to rise higher than the sordid world,
to embark on unprecedented magic,
to keep being someone who is willing
to defend undauntedly his luxury.
fine
♥ ❤ ❥♥ ❤ ❥♥ ❤ ❥♥ ❤ ❥♥ ❤ ❥♥ ❤ ❥♥ ❤ ❥♥ ❤ ❥
ERNEST EARNINGS
I knows someone who works so hard
yer never see him at all.
He's crawling on his hands and knees
to keep me pumping gasoline
I knows someone whose always struggling
reaching for squandering share.
I knows someone who earned it all
but has none to spare.
♥ ❤ ❥♥ ❤ ❥♥ ❤ ❥♥ ❤ ❥♥ ❤ ❥♥ ❤ ❥♥ ❤ ❥
Where are the poets you ask? . . .
There once was a man from Nantucket Whose head was as big as a bucket He loved to kiss, but he's always miss Till one day he said, "Oh, f%$k it!!"
eric1 is the poet laureate of Riverside County. Upon his release from the funny farm he plans to pursue a career in politics.
How about a snappy limerick?
Very good idea but unfortunately I don't happen to be a poet.
Doesn't necessarily have to be poets/poems. Any relevant writng could do.
And those People on Wall Street
They built a new Nation
That served only Peace
And ended Starvation
Love this series.
Yes I see, but if you want to know about my personal experience, I'm at a distance of 6000 km (more or less) from Liberty Square.
Even so, I do like poetry!!!
Send me something. If I get a reading going I'll read it for you!!
Dear Sleonard, I'd like to apologize for having been sarcastic about poetry. The problem is, you see, I speak Spanish in my everyday life, and although I do know a bit of English, just enough to take part in this really magnificent Forum, it would take me hours to prepare something that you might read (in English), and I just don't have sufficient time to do that.
Thank you at any rate for your offer, you must be a very kind and serious person!
I wasn't offended and appreciate your comments. I am sincere about this cause.
And the voices were heard
From East coast to West
Pure indignation
For Right and for Left
I dont' know if that's o.k. for your purposes, but I have posted a very Spanish poem by one of my favourite authors, the anarchist poet Juan Gil-Albert (1904 - 1994). Perhaps I should add that the three lines that are quoted within this poem are by the ancient Roman poet Lucretius. If you find that this translation sounds WEIRD, you just amend the text as you consider appropriate....
Yes, the world needs these poems. Instead of being productive members of society people are sitting around writing in journals. At least John Lennon had a few good tunes, but I doubt anything good will come out of this crowd.
Sorry you think that. We are trying and there certainly is work to be done. Thanks for your comments.