I dreamed of thunder beings
striking metal with prayer and seeing
conquistadores flee from Quetzalcoatl.
Awakening I choked on last night’s Coke
and croaked “Hell” from Marlboro’s smell
stuck in my throat.
For every time I failed to speak truth to power
I feel my tongue deaden, my song grow leaden.
For every capitulation to comfort I have taken
I feel my full belly bloat with my craven spirit wake
and
the whole world get more mesmerized by the supersize smiley
prize
while we forget how to sing for joy,
how to sob for grief…
as we find no relief in the toys we thieve
as we forget to craft magic from the tragic
and
So we dance, pray and fight.
10/22/16 – Oakland, reflecting on time at Standing Rock
