cloudy concoctions
of smiles and apologies
artful illusion
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to Putting My Feet in the Dirt and FOWC
Category: Random Rants
the circle of change
belief sustains hope
hope ignites radical change
change nurtures belief
I am trying to retain belief in our system. I hope that things aren’t going to get much much worse before they get better. But I’m really really struggling with both. All hope seems lost. And I find myself believing that our system is too frickin’ broke to fix. BUT, when this mood threatens to overwhelm me, my mind returns to the songs of two of my favorite artists. The words make me feel better. Because I do believe in those children trying to change their world. They make me think that all hope is not lost.
So I leave you with words so much more inspiring then mine.
David Bowie Changes
I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They’re quite aware of what they’re goin’ through
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Don’t tell them to grow up and out of it
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Where’s your shame?
You’ve left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can’t trace time
(Songwriter: David Bowie)
Elvis Costello What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love, & Understanding
As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin’ for light in the darkness of insanity
I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?
And each time I feel like this inside
There’s one thing I wanna know:
What’s so funny ’bout peace love and understanding? Ohhhh
What’s so funny ’bout peace love and understanding?
And as I walked on
Through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony
‘Cause each time I feel it slippin’ away, just makes me wanna cry
What’s so funny ’bout peace love and understanding? Ohhhh
What’s so funny ’bout peace love and understanding?
So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony
‘Cause each time I feel it slippin’ away, just makes me wanna cry
What’s so funny ’bout peace love and understanding? Ohhhh
What’s so funny ’bout peace love and understanding? Ohhhh what’s so fun about peace, love and understanding
(Songwriter: Nick Lowe)
Better late than never? Thanks #FOWC and RonavanWrites
she said but he said
she said but he said
wilting efforts and fresh lies
laid bare to the world
Double thanks to Putting My Feet in the Dirt and RonovanWrites
Fleeing the Vortex
falling water swirls
her mind follows its heartbeat
she flees the vortex
I think of this haiku as a companion to the flash fiction piece I wrote for The Drabble. It’s only 97 words so check it out here if you haven’t read it. #foreveryes
Neither of these pieces is meant to suggest or advocate suicide. It wasn’t until someone asked me if “she” killed herself that I realized how easy it is to have that interpretation. To me, both this and #foreveryes are about taking back your power. Turning away from those attempting to control your choices. Claiming Your Life.
But as I reread them I see my anger and sadness and fury and frustration. And I shouldn’t be surprised. So often these days, I find myself feeling overwhelmed by it all. Choking. As if I’m being force-fed a steady diet of misogyny and racism and hate. And every time I try to use my words to go directly at the issues, I get bogged down. But … clearly my emotions are peeking through. And that, I think, is a good thing. Anything that pushes it out so it doesn’t choke me is a step forward!
Anything that helps put this into the trash heep of disgusting ideas! 
So … “Nolite te bastardes carborundorum”
#IBelieveSurvivors
#WhyIDidn’tReport
#foreveryes
I tell myself I write for the love of writing. I tell myself it’s OK if no one else reads it. I tell myself that something can be good even if no one else *likes* it. I tell myself ….
But …
And what about …
And if a tree falls in a forest is its death worth it if nobody reads my stuff?! (Wait. I think I screwed up that reference.)
So …
I cannot deny it’s pretty damn cool when someone else DOES like it.
I submitted this piece to The Drabble and long story short (literally–it had to be less than 100 words) they liked it. They really liked it! (Apologies to Sally Field for stealing (and then messing with) her line. No apologies to those who don’t get that reference. You have your youth–so there’s that!)
So go visit it and give it a LIKE (if you like). You can find #foreveryes at The Drabble
Tina Stewart Brakebill 