POETRY BY DR. DANIEL KUNENE
Madison alive and livid!
(March 9, 2011)
I could smell my neighbors’ sweat
So could they mine as we jostled
Inside the People’s State Capitol
To defend the workers’ unions so democracy should prevail
I could hear the growing volume of discontent
As we called in one voice that
Workers’ power to negotiate be deemed sacred
So democracy should prevail
I could hear my neighbors’ shouts mingling with my own
To open the ears of arrogant power
That said defiantly: “Let them eat cake!”
As their children’s stomachs rumbled for lack of food
As we insisted that true democracy remain
untouched
by cold,
calculating power
I could feel my neighbor’s warmth
As he reached out with his hand
Embracing mine in solidarity
For one more difficult step we were yet to climb
For he and I and all of us demanded
That democracy should prevail
From the clutches of those determined
To walk blindfolded to the edge of a cliff
(March 9, 2011)
I could smell my neighbors’ sweat
So could they mine as we jostled
Inside the People’s State Capitol
To defend the workers’ unions so democracy should prevail
I could hear the growing volume of discontent
As we called in one voice that
Workers’ power to negotiate be deemed sacred
So democracy should prevail
I could hear my neighbors’ shouts mingling with my own
To open the ears of arrogant power
That said defiantly: “Let them eat cake!”
As their children’s stomachs rumbled for lack of food
As we insisted that true democracy remain
untouched
by cold,
calculating power
I could feel my neighbor’s warmth
As he reached out with his hand
Embracing mine in solidarity
For one more difficult step we were yet to climb
For he and I and all of us demanded
That democracy should prevail
From the clutches of those determined
To walk blindfolded to the edge of a cliff
Blood on their hands
(March 10, 2011)
Scott Walker
Now the deed is done
Your dearest wish fulfilled, or so you thought,
As you plunged your sword into democracy’s side
Your self-delusion is a false shield, Walker
You have yet to learn that
Money does not have the power of speech
Its gains are delusional and temporary
The People’s voices, their speech,
Which is the real speech,
Will sweep you to the garbage heap of history
Where one day you will wake up to find that
There is no ocean wide or deep enough
To wash the blood off
Your murderer’s hands!
(March 10, 2011)
Scott Walker
Now the deed is done
Your dearest wish fulfilled, or so you thought,
As you plunged your sword into democracy’s side
Your self-delusion is a false shield, Walker
You have yet to learn that
Money does not have the power of speech
Its gains are delusional and temporary
The People’s voices, their speech,
Which is the real speech,
Will sweep you to the garbage heap of history
Where one day you will wake up to find that
There is no ocean wide or deep enough
To wash the blood off
Your murderer’s hands!
Dark cloud over Wisconsin
(March 10, 2011)
An ominous cloud
has cast its shadow
over Wisconsin
as the workers’ rights
are trampled under foot
by mercenaries’ menials
like voting cattle obeying
the crack of their master’s whip
(March 10, 2011)
An ominous cloud
has cast its shadow
over Wisconsin
as the workers’ rights
are trampled under foot
by mercenaries’ menials
like voting cattle obeying
the crack of their master’s whip
Madison alive and livid!
(March 9, 2011)
I could smell my neighbors’ sweat
So could they mine as we jostled
Inside the People’s State Capitol
To defend the workers’ unions so democracy should prevail
I could hear the growing volume of discontent
As we called in one voice that
Workers’ power to negotiate be deemed sacred
So democracy should prevail
I could hear my neighbors’ shouts mingling with my own
To open the ears of arrogant power
That said defiantly: “Let them eat cake!”
As their children’s stomachs rumbled for lack of food
As we insisted that true democracy remain
untouched
by cold,
calculating power
I could feel my neighbor’s warmth
As he reached out with his hand
Embracing mine in solidarity
For one more difficult step we were yet to climb
For he and I and all of us demanded
That democracy should prevail
From the clutches of those determined
To walk blindfolded to the edge of a cliff
(March 9, 2011)
I could smell my neighbors’ sweat
So could they mine as we jostled
Inside the People’s State Capitol
To defend the workers’ unions so democracy should prevail
I could hear the growing volume of discontent
As we called in one voice that
Workers’ power to negotiate be deemed sacred
So democracy should prevail
I could hear my neighbors’ shouts mingling with my own
To open the ears of arrogant power
That said defiantly: “Let them eat cake!”
As their children’s stomachs rumbled for lack of food
As we insisted that true democracy remain
untouched
by cold,
calculating power
I could feel my neighbor’s warmth
As he reached out with his hand
Embracing mine in solidarity
For one more difficult step we were yet to climb
For he and I and all of us demanded
That democracy should prevail
From the clutches of those determined
To walk blindfolded to the edge of a cliff
Under Cover of Darkness
(March 11, 2011)
By night
By stealth
They shuffle into the dimly lit chamber
Grope their way to their desks in the semi-darkness
Brushing against their bodies
Their heads move from left to right
Left to right
Left to right
Straining their eyes
To read their menu of disaster they have concocted
To kill the power of the workers
“All those in favor say aye”
“Aye!” creeps under the carpets and floor mats
To reach the ears of their ghostly godfather
They shuffle out
Barely able to lift their eyes
Hiding the guilt they feel deep down
Having sold their consciences
For thirty pieces of silver
(March 11, 2011)
By night
By stealth
They shuffle into the dimly lit chamber
Grope their way to their desks in the semi-darkness
Brushing against their bodies
Their heads move from left to right
Left to right
Left to right
Straining their eyes
To read their menu of disaster they have concocted
To kill the power of the workers
“All those in favor say aye”
“Aye!” creeps under the carpets and floor mats
To reach the ears of their ghostly godfather
They shuffle out
Barely able to lift their eyes
Hiding the guilt they feel deep down
Having sold their consciences
For thirty pieces of silver
