30 minute sestina

i just challenged myself to write a silly sestina using 6 words picked by someone else. i gave myself 30 minutes and this is what happened. the words: squirrel, tree, black, run, ground, today

the tragedy of the acorn

i first grew in a bundle on that tree.
they told us to beware that city squirrel,
“you’ll know him when he sets off in a run
to snatch you from your bough and hit the ground
to hide you in the soil, rich and black.
beware that cunning squirrel, he lurks today.”

i heard the cunning squirrel so close today.
he scampered up and down that backyard tree.
with flipping tail and claws a shiny black,
he menaced off the birds, a scary squirrel.
he sat there on the bough and stood his ground,
so when the sparrows swooped, he did not run.

and when the blue jays bombed, he did not run.
i doubt a thing around could scare today
that squirrel (who sits so firmly in his ground
that lies so far high up in this oak tree).
i doubt a thing around could take this squirrel
(without succumbing to his eyes, so black

they match the color of his heart, yes black,
like coal). if only i could drop and run
i’d leave this tree and dangers of this squirrel.
alas, my acorn hide is green today
and must be brown before i leave this tree.
i must be wise and sage to hit the ground,

to grow into a tree, deep in the ground.
to pierce into the soil rich and black,
i must drop swiftly down straight from this tree
and hide myself before I see him run
to dine upon my hide, oh not today!
i’m clamped onto this branch, you naughty squirrel.

time knocked me from my branch? oh lucky squirrel!
as i lie here, flesh brown upon the ground,
i know my destiny has changed today.
a snack i’ll be inside his mouth of black
for here he comes a galloping, his run.
i’ll ne’er grow now into a wise oak tree.

oh squirrel your eyes are beady dark and black
i’m helpless on the ground–i watch you run.
today, you’ll eat me under the oak tree.

role model

for the first time in our country’s history, we may have an african american man, an man whose skin tone is half white and half black, be our president and leader. the positive impact of having a man of non-white skin tone lead our country as president is monumental and far-reaching.

not only is he in line to be president (an accomplishment in its own long-overdue in our country), but he carries an even broader message of HOPE–a message that has been missing from our presidency since franklin d. roosevelt, and from the underprivileged households and neighborhoods suffering from prejudice, drug abuse, and poverty.

a double whammy.

we’d all get a president who is inspirational (for the first time in my life time), and for the first time ever, middle class african american families get proof that their sacrifices have not been in vain. but the most exciting piece is that underprivileged african american boys will learn that there is hope for them. they don’t have to be destined for gang life and crime. there is something now, something big, for them to bootstrap-up to. at last the face of “the man” may be a black man and the ripple effect would be huge.

and that’s just within our country. what about the world view? let us not forget how crucial this is to our own economy and safety. though we tout our country as the great melting pot, racist and classist thought ooses in and out of decisions that affect all people of our nation, and therefore, foreign relations. when we have 8 years of gun-toting religious right shouting their very specific and exclusive beliefs as the voice of our people, no doubt others (including many of us in our own country) are offended.* at long last, we could have a man that can speak to other world leaders without the context of white privilege shrouding him.

for the first time, i care about an election. for the first time, i see a man who can speak to all of the people of this country as people and not just as demographics, case studies, and problems to work around. for the first time, i feel like we the people are on the agenda and that decisions will be made with us in the forefront of the process, not just an after-thought. for the first time, i see a man with compassion, intelligence, and a profound ability to unite and lead. and this, this is exactly what this country has needed for so very long now.

i know my expectations are high, but to the sad contrast, they have been set so very low by previous candidates.** even if he can’t solve every problem (which is a very tall order for one man), he is working to do so and is instilling HOPE in all of us. and hope is an invaluable gift. 2 years into his term, when we are upset that our problems have not been solved, i want to retain appreciation for the fact that at least they’re being addressed, and being addressed by a person who cares about his people and not just lining his pockets and those of his friends.

november 4th feels so far away. and after a victory for hope, january 20th feels even farther. but when the message is made that the people of this country chose hope over fear & hatred, and unity over bigotry & war, the wait will be well worth it.

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*in a country as physically, economically, and culturally vast as ours, it may very well be impossible to satisfy people of all beliefs at once. however, knowing that there is at least one person (the head person) who is trying to act in an inclusive, not exclusive, way, for the maximum benefit for the country, makes sacrificing or struggling so much more palatable.

**here’s an excellent example of political satire about the choices we had for the 2004 presidential election. South Park episode 808: Douche vs Turd