Today we wrap our celebration of National Poetry Month with two selections: a poem chosen by Alice Rydel and an original song by Joe Pickering, Jr.
In selecting Before the Scales, Tomorrow, Alice shares:
Here’s to memories, friendships, audaciousness, love, activism, prickliness, differences, agreements, forward-thinkingness, organizing, fighting for a world of humanity in such an inhumane time.”
Before the Scales, Tomorrow
And when the enthusiastic
story of our time
is told,
who are yet to be born
but announce themselves
with more generous face,
we will come out ahead
–those who have suffered most from it.
And that
being ahead of your time
means much suffering from it.
But it’s beautiful to love the world
with eyes
that have not yet
been born.
And splendid
to know yourself victorious
when all around you
it’s all still so cold,
so dark.
***
Joe Pickering, Jr. shares his original Song, More American Then Plymouth Rock.
Give a listen, and the full lyrics are below.
MORE AMERICAN THAN PLYMOUTH ROCK
MORE AMERICAN THAN PLYMOUTH ROCK
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY CRIES FOR NEW YORK
MILLIONS FIRST CAME ASHORE TO BE FREE
NOW NEW YORK’S JAILED IN A CLOSED PRIMARY
VOTERS MUST CHOSE FROM THE PARTY SELECTION
PARTY CANDIDATES FOR THE PARTYS PROTECTION
SAVE AMERICA SENATOR SCHUMER ONCE WROTE
SAVE NEW YORK FIRST ! LET INDEPENDENTS VOTE !
END THE PARTISAN PRMARY SCHUMER PROPOSED
YEARS LATER, THEIR PRIMARY REMAINS CLOSED
POLITICIANS HEED THE STATUE OF LIBERTY
ALL YEARN TO BE FREE ! HELP VOTERS VOTE FREE
INDEPENDENT VOTERS STAND AND FIGHT
HOUND THE LEGISLATURE ‘TIL THEY VOTE RIGHT
NEW YORKERS THE STATUE CRIES FOR THEE
DRY HER TEARS DEMAND THE OPEN PRIMARY
Joe Pickering Jr.. Songwriter Harry King artist and producer King of the Road Music BMI C 2017
You can listen to More American Than Plymouth Rock here.
https://youtu.be/fCSQma7xz5c
***
