Have you seen the news

Have you heard the news today?
oh boy
there were armed troopers in the streets
and it was more than sad
they didn't care the world was watching

exploding

I saw the photograph
broken arms and blinded eyes
and if we should get to the heart
of how many dollars does it take
to fill a rich man's chest?
yes, it's really for the best
if we don't know

Have you seen the news today?

oh boy

all the eyes have lost and Standing Rock
was just a test

look how many people must be blinded 

for the world to see

the sky is falling

And yes, it's been so fast
and it's taken so long
they sold us out for just a song
a pretty tale of freedom and
death
while we stood and stared
someone took their last...

You'd think
we'd be aware

but we've simply
turned away

there is no,
there is no news today

A.J.

And that's the poem I wrote in the middle of last night, because the tune for the Beatles song "A Day in the Life" broke into my head.

Because sometimes it really does feel like the sky is falling. But unlike Standing Rock, people are watching. There are too many people to ignore, all risking their lives for freedom, not just the fake freedom to die, but the freedom to stand up against hate, systematic racism and creeping fascism.

Do not forget this moment.

We can go back to "normal" or we can change the world.

"It didn't need to be like this" Dr. Rev. Barber on Democracy Now. You might know him as the guy who brought back MLK's poor people's campaign, "Fight for Fifteen" and June 20th poor people's digital march on DC.