Episode 25 - STORMS PASS
It’s been a stormy period this week for the USA, in different ways. Let’s all be grateful that this contentious time will soon be completely gone, and we can move forward together in harmony. in this episode we explore the stormy parallels between nature and politics.
Haiku 1
The time has arrived
for listening and healing
now we act as one
Haiku 2
red wine uncorked
counting votes almost complete
raise glasses together
Music speaks and uplifts
Don’t worry be happy
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
here comes the sun
As storm (ETA) approaches
The elegant black anhinga rests on the shore
The white egret gliding over the water
with almost infinite choice
lands very close as if looking
for a friend and companion.
Walking into the pine and palm forest
wild wind is replaced by hungry flies
As warm gentle rain slides over my bare skin.
Sounds of flapping wings approach
a flock of ibises above me
flying from the forest to the river
without their usual loud squawking
the white cloud passes
almost silently overhead
A lone turtle cautiously
sticks his head up
above the choppy waves
and disappears.
As fast as the rain
comes and goes,
the wind gusts
and subsides.
After the storm
blue skies and sun,
and the silver mullet jump
again.
DAY BY DAY - FROM NOVEMBER 3RD TO 8TH
Hafiz, a sufi mystic and poet, lived in Shiraz, Persia in the 14th century, wrote the poem:
Cast all your votes for dancing - some of his lines will be quoted
Elections like this could replace roller coasters
breathe in, hold on tight to hope and faith
that the results will be what this country needs
Anxiety, fear, suspicion, doubt
flying around in the tornado;
while inside the calm center,
In the eye of the storm.
dedicated counters keep going
tirelessly, carefully, accurately,
doing their important work.
Outside the watchers and waiters
wave now pointless banners,
hopelessly imagining that
they alone know the correct result.
Yet in their hearts they know
there will be one loser one winner.
Hafiz says:
Learn to recognize the counterfeit coins
that may buy you just a moment of pleasure
but then drag you for days like a broken
man behind a farting camel.
Three days have now passed;
the numbers are shifting hour by hour
like in a long distance race
which started with a sprint ahead,
the president being slowly caught
inch by inch the challenger moves ahead.
State after state reaches a call
from John King and the magic wall.
He paints an ever changing picture
red, blue, grey, drama grows richer.
The Keystone state is running late
but after this there should be little debate.
It’s Saturday noon the call is decreed
The challenger has an unbeatable lead.
The needed electoral college votes reached
the president’s campaign is completely breached.
That night the president elect makes his speech.
Humbled and clear he speaks of a future:
healing through uniting is the suture,
together the virus we must conquer
enough enough of partisan rancor.
We will take care of each other and this planet.
We will have equal justice for all people
in this Re-united States of America.
Hafiz says:
O keep squeezing drops of the sun from
your prayers and work and music
and from your companions’ beautiful
laughter, and from the most insignificant
movements of your own holy body, now
sweet one, be wise.
Cast all your votes for dancing.
And that is what happened
in cities across America
People danced for joy.
©MartinStrasmore2020