FEAR AND CONSUMPTION
Inspired By Michael Moore and Marilyn Manson
For 9/11/04
c. Faith Harding
Waking up to “the world’s coming to an end it’s on TV”-
In my hung-over haze, I went into the living room to see-
The fall of our financial icons-
The crumbling twin towers-
I cried for the human lives lost-
It didn’t surprise me-
Something so Hollywood-
Just enough destruction, smoke and violence-
I watched in dumbfounded awe-
I was afraid for my friends in the City-
I was afraid for the people that were flying-
I was afraid of a mass terrorist invasion-
I was afraid so I kept watching-
Television, truly the weapon of mass destruction-
Told me to run and buy a gas mask-
Muslims are the devil-
We must be hateful-
And all the while-
Bush is the liar-
Saudis are “leavin’ on a jet plane“-
No one knew-
How tightly connected-
The turn of the proverbial screw-
Connect the dots and we did find-
Cheney, Bush, Bin Laden and Saudis are The Corporation-
What is happening for money and power-
Greed seems to lead-
How appropriate the towers fell-
Wall Street-
Mean Streets of oil and free trade-
The few and sacrifice the many-
Scare them and they will follow-
Scare them and they will swallow-
Scare them and watch them run-
Consume, Consume and then some-
Even presented with the truth-
We turn our heads in dread-
We speak out and make a difference-
Labeled traitor and unpatriotic-
Many know and do nothing about it-
Don’t bother me-
Killing others isn’t ok-
Democracy is dead-
It’s the almighty dollar-
I speak out-
I believe in the power of one-
I don’t believe what the media and our government is shoveling at us-
I don’t believe that Iraqis are evildoers-
Nor the Afghanis-
We created the monsters-
Dr. Uncle Sam-
I believe in Lady Justice-
This government will pay a heavy price-
Bloodshed for no reason-
These are fellow humans-
We haven’t learned from our past-
I believe in resolution-
I believe in truth-
I believe in a future-
I believe in tolerance-
I believe in my own voice-
Work toward the positive choice-
I will never give up-
Government does not define a people-
I am change-
Art, education and compassion-
That represents a person-
Not fear and consumption-
___________________________________________________________________
Aina, The Land, The Earth
Faith Harding
c. May 2003
If you’ve never been to this island and you find yourself willing here//
Something has called to you, drawing you near//
Mother Gai has given this world so many exotic places of intense beauty and sacred places//
Kaua’i, the ‘aina, truly aloha spirit, when I walk about, I can feel it//
From Polihale and Barking Sands//
Waimea’s grand effects to Koke’e’s cool climate//
Hanapepe’s art district and ‘Ele’ele’s quaint essence//
Pt. Allen’s small vessels, my favorite is Salt Ponds’ intense radiant sunsets//
South shore is where I reside, Omao means green, raining, raining nearly everyday//
Owl Bluff apartments, Kahili Mountains is my front door view//
I can see all the way to Po’ipu, my beach on South shore for sure//
Lots of people at the beach park, keikes playing, parties, food//
Monk seals and honus take a snooze//*
I love this particular part of the ‘aina, for here comes my ipo, he lives in Po’ipu too//
On his boat we went to Kipu Kai, to me, the most romantic beach on Kaua’i//
On to Nawiliwili and Kalipaki Beach, watch the Love Boats come in and go//
Lihu’e is our county seat//
Ahukini Landing very old and rickety where the ghost stories of sugar cane workers remains//
All over the ‘aina it is such a damn shame//
Wailua Falls, “de plane, de plane”, Fantasy Island, to be under the falls on a mahina piha//
Feeling the moani through your hair, naked under the na hoku, do I dare?//
Kapa’a town is East side hustle and bustle, sadly, I try not to go there//
Taro patches in Anahola, North shore begins to appear//
Kilauea Lighthouse is the beacon bright, whale watching is an incredible sight//
Princeville is money and with that comes haoles//
Hanalei Bay is my favorite North shore spot//
Lots of lush greenery, plumeria, birds of paradise, hibiscus, coconuts, mangos, bananas, macadamia nuts//
The Gods and Goddesses made paradise lost, for Na Pali Coast has taken lives, the ultimate cost//
Warriors’ tales, Hawaiian lore, give no exit to Kalalau Trail//
Na Pali is omnipotent, it shimmers with falls and crevices so deep//
The camel, the squirrel, Larry, Moe and Curly in the cliffs you see//
So, this is my tale of my ‘aina aloha//
I’ve found a perfect example, that this haole girl has only begun to sample//
The magnitude of the Hawaiian ‘aina, beginning here on Kaua’i-//
This island’s adventure has given to me a mystique of stillness//
Oneness with the isle, truly, I can only live pono and I am blessed//
Perhaps live to be an old wahine and have the ‘aina as my place of rest//
* I had just written this line and took a break and headed to the water for a dip. As I was headed toward the water, a monk seal was coming up out of the water to beach itself at Po’ipu. I had never witnessed that. I always see them beached but I had never encountered the seal coming out of the water. It was like he/she heard me!!!