I've published this poem every year since it was first published in 2004. This year will be no exception.
(Buy the way, if you read it closely enough, you can see reference to the Founding Fathers and the struggle of which Micelle Bachman speaks that they had eliminating slavery. Are all politicians ditzes today or what?)
(originally published by WHITE HERON PRESS, Spring, 2004)
I wish for independence from the past,
might overruling right,
white men encountering
their new world,
slaughtering
its true inhabitants.
I wish for independence from the arrogance,
fostering false license
to hawk,
redeem extensions
of our own humanity
to dance attendance
upon the burdens
of wealth.
I wish for independence from the blindness
guiding us westward,
turning nature
into dirt interruptions
without offering notice
to the peace
upon which we trampled.
I wish for independence from the gluttony
which continued
to swallow whole
territories suitable
for planting white seeds,
pulverizing cultures.
I wish for independence from conformity,
born of urban sprawl,
away from cities,
conceiving jealousy
of blood pumping
within mere feet
of white picket fences.
I wish for independence from The Corporacracy,
governing body
governing bodies,
stratifying rich from poor,
life from death,
blending earth
with destruction.
To friendship,
Michael
"A strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many bad measures." - Daniel Webster