Goldfinches by Mary Oliver
Some goldfinches were having a melodious argument at the edge of a puddle. The birds wanted to bathe, or perhaps just to dip their heads and look at themselves, and they were having trouble with who should be first, and so on. So they discussed it while I stood in the distance, listening. Perhaps in Tibet, in the old holy places, they also have such fragile bells. Or are these birds really just that, bells come to us--come to this road in America--let us bow our heads and remember now how we used to do it, say a prayer. Meanwhile the birds bathe and splash and have a good time. Then they fly off, their dark wings opening from their bright, yellow bodies; their tiny feet, all washed, clasping the air.
I was intrigued and looked up the source. Not exactly a pacifist approach, but very moving.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.freedomgloryproject.com/
lt's a silence the lonely know
in the fire the rainbows grows
you can push it down my friend
it will come up ten fold again
we will erase your name, we will show no restraint
how much blood must be shed
on the streets of unrest
we will bleed as long need be
that river will remove you from history
we will erase your name, we will show no restraint
you have robbed us for many years
but we have saved every last tear
we have suffered all of your hate
and now we march down to your gates
we will erase your name, we will show no restraint
Freedom, Glory, Be Our Name
Freedom, Glory, Be Our Name
you think your power is secure
when you startle us with the threat of war
but fear has its limits too
we are no longer scared of you
we will erase your name, we will show no restraint
we will burn your temple to the ground
we will tear all your prisons down
your gallows will be set for burning
just before one last hanging
we will erase your name, we will show no restraint
Freedom, Glory, Be Our Name
Freedom, Glory, Be Our Name
now we give you one last chance
to do what's right and to let us dance
or the hand of fate will become a fist
a force your thugs can not resist
The fields where soldiers practice their killing
can be a spread of green grass
where the boisterous rainbow children may dance
while the one who beams with
ultimate command
will merely be a smile (Written by Shamloo)
Shoukoeh Azadi Ba Mast
*..... music........
ReplyDeleteThis is a very moving video. I love the use of green in the black and white video. It reminded me of Schindler's list.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and moving music.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't going to listen to this at first, but I'm glad I did. Powerful stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting here late, but that is awesome... what raw power in their raw voices...
ReplyDelete