Breathe in, breathe out, then stop.

The air unites us all.

Breath from my lungs will circulate

the globe; you breathe me in, as I

breathe you out.

We breathe our life into each other,

as we waft our way around the world in

which we live, and hope, and share.

What is this if not an atmosphere of love?

 

Where now are the hypocrites of Woodstock?

When did you stop making love and peace to

make war and profits?

The weed-warriors, now CEOs,

not looking to save the world but to

buy it out, now that they have

sold out their flimsy ideals, formulated for

a world that no longer exists.

Now memos circulate around corporate boardrooms.

Translucent tyrants, with arctic compassion.

 

I breathe in the air from their lungs.

Did they ever breathe mine?

Do I give them life? Or do they sustain mine?

I will hold my breath forever.

Reviews

[Chris]

To speak is an attack... to stand is an affront. Facts mean nothing, and history is written and rewritten to order. Perception is personal and immutable because the prejudice is set behind the eyes as a mark of self. We are ultimate rebels - our ways are legendary within our minds. We assign as we feel - rights of the wronged are as indifferent as our own souls. The breath you hold has the stink of ages and after we are dust it will be held yet again... and THAT was also expressed by me and a host of others decades back.

People romanticize too much and understand too little. Wax on - and wane after - about all the wish-you-could-have-been-theres and -about-all-the-differences-you-wouldn't-have-made-at-alls.

The 'Gentle-men' KNEW Pearl Harbor was happening. Auschwitz was an 'open' secret. The Gulag was a way of life(?). The middle-east has been eons in preparation. Turkey and the Armenians have a history too. czechoslovakia has a bit part in world stage...Vietnam was a 'friend' that was let down and a war of distraction afterwards. Flower power was mean and despicable and a hell of a lie played on kids that listened to media dreams and admen schemes.

Chuckling here... The mark of a good write is the commotion it brings to light... or at least the thoughts that bounce around.

Take care,
Chris

[FemmeSpookyCorpse]

This piece is such a worthy opponent to the direction our planet is heading towards, Jeremy! You make each point with such precision that it really forces one to think while reading. It's as if your descriptions (in their own thought-provoking way) opened up a new section of my brain. If so, I would call this new section "philosophies of our modern world...take it or leave it." = ] Very intellectually stimulating piece...wonderful work!

-Femme_Gothique (Brittany)

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Your poem speaks a load of volume! Thoughts to ponder!

[Muse]

You say in your note to readers;
People romanticize too much and understand too little
I agree!
Woodstock? Lol. Make love not war.
On a serious note, you put a lot of thought into this poem, and I really enjoyed reading this.
xo

[Ben Taylor]

A political commentary built around an interesting observation--we all breathe each other in. It's true, we are all connected; I really liked that aspect of this poem.
The ending said a lot, also:
"I will hold my breath forever."
You refuse to sustain them with your breath, or be sustained by theirs--you reject all affiliation with those you deem corrupt and fake.
Nicely written.

[Kat Collins]

There is not much I can add to the comments...I share their sentiments, thoughts, emotions, and justice. You have touched on a subject that provokes many...in every manner. To bring such poetic eyes to the world is truly a gift. To provoke spirited responses in every gambit is a charasmatic, intelligent, thinking ability. Well said and done.

[Victoria PoetryBunny]

Wow, really interesting, with a impact... different, and deep write for the world and its people, i loved the ending how you ended the poem especially:
"I breathe in the air from their lungs.
Did they ever breathe mine?
Do I give them life? Or do they sustain mine?
I will hold my breath forever."
... really nicely said.

[Ruth]

Where indeed are the ones who literally sell out and make no mark on their words?! Powerful questioning love and I see a lot of freedom in this piece....if we all hold our breath...we shall stifle...stagnate but truly.,..if we breath together...not in dream...but in reality, we can be so much more than we are!
Brilliant poem!
xx

[OT]

I think this indeed is the question - "Where now are the hypocrites of Woodstock?
When did you stop making love and peace to
make war and profits?" - well mused here - and love the last stanza - the concept of "did they ever breathe mine" - whose world is it - what air is being breathed - who is really dependant on who - and perfect end line - to hold your breath - if you breathe in no-one's air surely you'll self-sustain? though it won't work that way... - nice!

[stars are far]

this is a great work ..
i enjoyed reading this :-)