because we can
wish and will to
guide our hands
we the builders
can we fix it
we the builders
yes we can
hidden figures
hidden brains
hidden Nancys
hidden Drains
now touch the earth
and feel its heat
will we wish
to cool our feet?
we the people
can we fix it
we the people
yes we can
instadraft ©Heidi Mordhorst 2019
I look up at the moon and think, "Humans have been there." It's so astonishing to my adult mind I can hardly even believe it happened. And of course I think, "How cool!" which leads directly to the thought "How hot!" it is today, and I wonder why we aren't using our astonishing powers of imagination and technology to solve the climate crisis. JFK said, "We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and to do those other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard." Let's choose a new hard goal; here's a fascinating article about how that might work (link below).
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| https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/19/climate/moon-shot-climate-change.html?login=google |
And now here's some serious musical amusement to carry us forward in our considerations about tomorrow. Our round-up today is hosted by Carol at Carol's Corner.
********************************************************************************
Giant steps are what you take
Walking on the moon
I hope my legs don't break
Walking on the moon
We could walk forever
Walking on the moon
We could live together
Walking on, walking on the moon
Walking back from your house
Walking on the moon
Walking back from your house
Walking on the moon
Feet they hardly touch the ground
Walking on the moon
My feet don't hardly make no sound
Walking on, walking on the moon
Some may say
I'm wishing my days away
No way
And if it's the price I pay
Some say
Tomorrow's another day
You stay
I may as well play
Giant steps are what you take
Walking on the moon
I hope my legs don't break
Walking on the moon
We could walk forever
Walking on the moon
We could be together
Walking on, walking on the moon
Keep it up, keep it up
**************************************
Smashmouth - "Walkin' On The Sun" 1997
It ain't no joke I'd like to buy the world a toke
And teach the world to sing in perfect harmony
And teach the world to snuff
And teach the world to sing in perfect harmony
And teach the world to snuff
the fires and the liars
Hey I know it's just a song
Hey I know it's just a song
but it's spice for the recipe
This is a love attack, I know it went out
but it's back.
It's just like any fad, it retracts before impact
And just like fashion it's a passion
It's just like any fad, it retracts before impact
And just like fashion it's a passion
for the with-it and hip
If you got the goods they'll come and buy it
If you got the goods they'll come and buy it
just to stay in the clique
[Chorus:]
So don't delay act now supplies are running out
Allow if you're still alive six to eight years to arrive
And if you follow there may be a tomorrow
But if the offer's shunned
[Chorus:]
So don't delay act now supplies are running out
Allow if you're still alive six to eight years to arrive
And if you follow there may be a tomorrow
But if the offer's shunned
you might as well be walkin' on the sun
Twenty-five years ago they spoke out and they broke out
Of recession and oppression and together they toked
And they folked out with guitars around a bonfire
Just singin' and clappin' man what the hell happened
Then some were spellbound some were hellbound
Some they fell down and some got back up and
Fought back 'gainst the melt down
And their kids were hippie chicks, all hypocrites
Because fashion is smashin' the true meaning of it
[Repeat Chorus]
It ain't no joke when a mama's handkerchief is soaked
With her tears because her baby's life has been revoked
The bond is broke up so choke up and focus on the close up
Mr. Wizard can't perform no godlike hocus-pocus
So don't sit back, kick back and watch the world get bushwhacked
News at 10:00 your neighborhood is under attack
Put away the crack before the crack puts you away
You need to be there when your baby's old enough to relate
[Repeat Chorus]
You might as well be walkin' on the sun
You might as well be walkin' on the sun
You might as well be walkin' on the sun
You might as well be walkin' on the sun
Twenty-five years ago they spoke out and they broke out
Of recession and oppression and together they toked
And they folked out with guitars around a bonfire
Just singin' and clappin' man what the hell happened
Then some were spellbound some were hellbound
Some they fell down and some got back up and
Fought back 'gainst the melt down
And their kids were hippie chicks, all hypocrites
Because fashion is smashin' the true meaning of it
[Repeat Chorus]
It ain't no joke when a mama's handkerchief is soaked
With her tears because her baby's life has been revoked
The bond is broke up so choke up and focus on the close up
Mr. Wizard can't perform no godlike hocus-pocus
So don't sit back, kick back and watch the world get bushwhacked
News at 10:00 your neighborhood is under attack
Put away the crack before the crack puts you away
You need to be there when your baby's old enough to relate
[Repeat Chorus]
You might as well be walkin' on the sun
You might as well be walkin' on the sun
You might as well be walkin' on the sun
You might as well be walkin' on the sun
Your poem is so poignant and hopeful, Heidi. We have a 110 degree heat index where I live today. Yes, it would be a major overstatement to say it feels like walking on the sun, buy my word, it is HOT!
ReplyDeleteWow--what a post! It's classic Heidi--dense, powerful and thought-provoking! This line really popped out at me, "So don't sit back, kick back and watch the world get bushwhacked." That's a fabulously crafted call for activism--just like your posts.
ReplyDeleteGreat poem....you always make me think, ponder, carry a thought around for a day or days. It's good to be your friend. It's good to know another caring builder.
ReplyDeleteLove all this, Heidi - thanks for leading us to look high and also mind our steps here on the ground. (I'm a little obsessed with that this week, I guess!) Did you see Jimmy Fallon's sketch with Sting - and himself - in a music video with 'Walking on the Moon'? Funny!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes! Why can't we put the same dedication and energy toward solving our climate crisis? If we can put the will and desire in place, I do think we can come up with solutions.
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew the answer to why. Having lived through all these years and how hopeful we were to do more. It seems like the power moved in secret to those who gave no thought to what their "product" was doing to our planet--sell more cars, sell more gas, must have coal for power for AC, etc. "We the builders/yes we can" is something people need for inspiration again, from the leaders, too. Thanks for your own continuing drive to act, Heidi.
ReplyDeleteYou are a constant source of inspiration, Heidi! There was an interesting segment on The New Yorker Radio Hour this week about people who think the moon landing was a hoax. The reporter went on to discuss conspiracy theories in general, as well as how we have to stop talking at one another. It was pretty interesting. Here's the link: https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-new-yorker-radio-hour/watching-the-moon-landing
ReplyDeleteHeidi, climate change and #heatwave all rolled into a call to action-YES! Thanks for the power-packed post with music and an article. These lines from your poem resonated with me:
ReplyDeletenow touch the earth
and feel its heat
will we wish
to cool our feet?
I am thinking back on the young teens who are trying be the changemakers. We need to fix the problem for sure.