Poetry For Now

STORMS PASS!

November 10, 2020 Martin Strasmore Season 1 Episode 25
Poetry For Now
STORMS PASS!
Show Notes Transcript

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.

  • The time has arrived ....for listening and healing....now we act as one
  • Red wine uncorked....counting votes almost complete....raise glasses together.
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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