On My Mind...

This poem was originally posted on October 21, 2005, but it was swirling around my head ever since hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. But recently, the sentiment in the poem has resurfaced in my head and in my heart.


New Orleans was my favorite city in the U.S. What I remember most was a vibrant culture, the best quality of food (for what they cooked), and music in the streets. It hardly felt like an American city, but then again, it was uniquely American. I loved that about New Orleans.


What troubles me most about these past two years is that I see very little has been learned from Hurricane Katrina. I mean, it’s hard to see if anything has been learned. From my perspective, the most pressing lessons seem to be ignored. I’m troubled by the lack of fresh thinking.


You know what I wonder?? I wonder why there is a lack of action about predatory lending. I wonder why we haven’t come to the realization that we need to help teach people to avoid detrimental financial products that harm their independence. The discussion is over, and has been for quite some time. Anyone wondering about it just needs to look at the foreclosure rates for subprime loans on houses.


You know what I also wonder?? I wonder why rebuilding a modern educational system based on math, financial planning, reading, logic and computer technology is not being installed into a school system in New Orleans that was already failing. This is the chance to rebuild education in New Orleans as a model city. And truthfully, there is no reason under the sun it CAN’T be done. Where is the courage to do so? Why must the people in New Orleans continuously be dependent on outside expertise??? Answer: The people who are supposed to be in the driver’s seat haven’t cultivated appropriate alternatives.


So I’m left to wonder. Now that all the glamour has gone out of helping out New Orleans, where are all the talking heads? Why aren’t they even contemplating the substantive problems faced by that city? Don’t believe me?? Check out their websites. Call and ask their offices what kinds of programs they have developed from scratch. Find out EXACTLY what they have spearheaded, or if they’re just in the business of damning the ineptitude of the federal, state and local government. Don’t take my word for it, call and see for yourself.


So now, while my thoughts are aimlessly moving about, I wonder…


Did we really learn anything about New Orleans?


I’m going to explore this subject again.


Peace and Love,

Nos

AMERICAN GUMBO


Why do peace officers place aged men under brutal cardiac arrest?
My favorite roux is made without blood;
Legal minds flippantly tell a spiced truth to the lenses of lying eyes;
Nero’s fiddle can be heard playing a sad song in the American South.


Uncultivated cerebellums litter the streets of old Antebellum;
Quagmires of the contemporary politic deposit useless rhetoric in an intellectual delta.
Rains of colour whitewash social etiquette;
Acts of God lift sheer veils,
through winds of merciless change.


Excuses are espoused by shameful eyes,
Tears are found in mine.
We all know how the institutions of destitution was built,
and why.


Antiquity is older than my grandparents;
And Momma and Daddy ain’t that old,
So don't jive me about days gone past.


Compassionate hypocrisy tickles a cynical mind,
The indigent are convenient play-things for political over-lords;
Still, only fools turn down opportunities to improve.


Synonymous motivations may produce opposing results,
Devious friends are sometimes lured to warm our beds,
A high-horse is no one’s bedfellow, no matter how strange it gallops;
Be cautious…
most have no idea where their heroes sleep at night;
You and your idol are fools.


Cronies competent only in their incompetence, spin fairy-tales for all to see,
Insatiable ignorance is the lust of weak minds,
Waves ripple right through the air and spew confused half-truths;
Brilliantly, they intentionally paint themselves weak;
Little do they know,
it’s long-since too late once the velvet glove falls to the floor;
To the fools of popular frenzy: your group is always one from next in line.


Dry wells quench no thrust,
whether or not our water bills are manipulated,
Starving minds soon expire,
Divided houses show decrepit dysfunction;
The roof-top may soon cave.


The ensuing catastrophe will emit an undeniable effervescence
Come closer to the table of brotherhood,
pull up a seat…


The stew is close to done