Pathways

…. love that Nina...

Pathways

 

 

Nina Simone sang “Feeling Good”

a new dawn, a new day

flew from the notes

as the melody caught fire

in human desire.

 

For eons, humans sought relief

from societies harshness;

societies based on

masters and slaves,

kings and serfs,

owners and workers,

all sang her song

in one voice or another.

 

From Hypatia to Sojourner Truth;

from Nat Turner to Huey Newton;

from Lenin to Bob Avakian,

pathways to liberation

have been created.

Humans have always

craved Spring,

the touch of community,

sharing good and woe,

in creating a balanced Earth.

 

Humanity is filled with dreamers,

with visionaries of change,

and it has been said,

if you can dream it,

it is possible to achieve.

Mao Tsetung once stated

in one of his more pithy sayings:

“Nothing is hard in this world,

if you dare to scale the heights.”

But we know that scaling these heights

demands struggle, hardships

and sacrifices.

 

Nina Simone introduced this poem

with her song.

Will we sing with her

or bury our heads

in all the excuses

of bourgeois society

and their laws

of “pursuit of happiness”,

which means living off

the blood and bones

of the world’s people,

as well as the bottom dwellers

here at home.

 

For me,

I want that new dawn and new day;

the sweet smell and taste of Spring.

 

Aztec Warrior/redzone 2.12.20  

Author's Note

....thanks for reading

Reviews

[Katrina Mckeown]

It’s a new done, a new day every single day and we should grab the opportunity to make the most of of it. I love the way you incorporate historical and philosophical terms , a dedication to people who have fought against the odds to achieve their goals and dreams. Brilliantly portrayed and written.

[redzone]

thank you Katrina for your kind words and your visit...

[Katrina Mckeown]

You are most welcome

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we do need a new dawn....in too many ways society is still in the ice age...women without equal rights, prejudice that still exists so strongly...we haven't come as far as we think we have...
maybe this should be written on the cave walls that still exist in other countries and part of ours as well.
excellent write.
j.

[redzone]

I liked your "cave walls" analogy Jacob.... I think you are right in saying this, especially for poets, artists, we still are writing on cave walls compared to where human beings could be... humanity certainly could be much further along than we actually are....

thank you Jacob for the visit and the insightful comment, we had better get our butts in gear if we want to get out of the caves....

[Sami Khalil]

A worthy honor that speaks volumes about the life and achievement of this "Princess of Soul." I love how you put your message in historical and philosophical terms and I can't agree more. You shed light on injustices, belittling others who went on to become legends and proved them all wrong. With the will, hard work and dedication, people achieved great things who were discounted as nobody. Great is your effort Red Zone...

[redzone]

aahhh Sami, it is always good to see you walking in one of my poem, thank you deeply for your visit... and so good of you to make such a wonderful comment.... one of the things that always amazes me is that all of us, in our own ways, can be or become such dreamers and visionaries, conscious of the world around us and encouraging others to join in this "singing with Nina".....

[Sami Khalil]

So true my friend. You are welcome sir....

[Sami Khalil]

"all sang her song

in one voice or another.



From Hypatia to Sojourner Truth;

from Nat Turner to Huey Newton;

from Lenin to Bob Avakian"

[Sami Khalil]

"Nina Simone sang “Feeling Good”

a new dawn, a new day

flew from the notes

as the melody caught fire

in human desire."

[alanwgraham]

What a brilliant inspirational poem you've written R. And who better than to use as that inspiration than Nina Simone. How can we argue with wanting 'a new dawn, a new day' but as you have suggested the road can be rocky. Our lord's and masters cling onto their power. You've covered such a wide range of all sorts of people and I don't know them all.
We can dream, but the promised land won't come come unaided.
Well done for sharing your dream.
All the best
Alan

[redzone]

thanks you Alan, for your visit and for your words... I am glad you enjoyed this poem... it's ironic in someways, but while there is no "promised land", there is one planet we all inhabit and the seeds of the future can be found in the present day conditions.... there is a profound truth in that from out of the ashes of such ugliness, much beauty can unfold, IF we strive to end all oppression.... and who better to aid in this than the vast majority of human beings
themselves.... for better or ill, we hold the future in our hands.... Nina sang this song because it the time people were rising up all over the world for liberation and it looked at the time like things were going to change for the better, a new dawn, a new day....

anyway, I greatly appreciate your comment and for taking the time to read and enjoy this poem, thank you muchly...

[alanwgraham]

Great thoughts! And thanks.
Alan