So 1) we are not finished, with time, with this planet, with each other.
It's all open-ended now, plenty for everyone to do, to say and think
And there is going to be a revolution and then a lot of celebration.
2) But let's forget about the revolution and the celebration and
Skip ahead to the clean- up. 3) There will be crews assigned for breaking down the stage and Rolling up the cables and picking up the trash, and waking up the drunks,
The stragglers and homeless, some of whom I know by name.
And the venue will all go back to the trees who leaned in to listen
And held up the strings of paper lanterns and the banners and sheltered all the vendors
When everyone was waiting out the rain. And the dogs will scrounge whatever scraps are left In the open or around over-full barrels and the dogs all have collars
And homes (although you wouldn't know it from their looks) and 4) There is a river nearby That is a hundred feet across where some local children are swimming. You can hear their voices, strident and squealing, and you stop for a second, leaning on your broom
Listening to the sound of the river and the children's voices. You unscrew the pole
Of your rake for a walking stick and you decide to let this whole scene fade.
5) There was no revolution. It was just a mediocre rock concert, a festival in the Mountains and everyone has left the premises. Even the dogs have gone back to the
Village And 6) You are a student, a wandering scholar, who studied the Tao
With a master poet who lives in a cave in the mountains. And you are recalling how
Unexpectedly he smiled the day you said good-bye. He turned away,
Took a few steps but then he half-turned and said, "Go make your revolution."
(Article changed on July 30, 2019 at 01:46)
