He is a master with words, Joann. As a writer I marvel at his ability to lure me in with memories of super-soakers, then put me right in the middle of the hurt with his description of ribs, and roulette taps. And that last sentence ... ouch.
That is the same sentence that launched my activism, @James. It stings. When I imagine a "better future" for my children and grandchildren it comes with more, not less. This put a pin in that balloon.
Holy crap. Rudy Francisco! I can't believe I have never run across him before and so grateful to have been introduced. Thank you! I watched a few more videos of him afterward. Such a testament to the power of sentient human words. From another of his poems I watched online, "I'm trying to convince my shadow that I'm someone worth following." That hit home because I struggle to convince myself that I'm part of a generation worth following and imagine the look on my kids faces when the water is gone. The question mark look they will have that I will be powerless to answer. I ride my bike all over town instead of using the car, knowing its less than an extra drop in the bucket. But what else can we do besides teach them to savor the summer?
Ahhh! Welcome to the fan club Rick! You should also take a look at "Adrenaline Rush". The man is a master with emotion. Like a great standup comic, he makes you reconsider and question the obvious.
You are a master with words and good intentions too, Rick. I see what you are doing, the questions you ask yourself and others to consider. And we are better for the discourse.
A strong and necessary article Karena. I wonder what would change if we could be 'with' nature, rather than 'in' it - by that I mean to forego our human-centric blinkers (with the belief that nature is there for us to enjoy / exploit) and instead accept that we are a part of nature. All of the damage we have done has happened in a brief couple of hundred years, it's been written about for decades (Rachel Carson published 'Silent Spring' in 1962!) and yet those record temps, fires, floods, are still hardly piercing our hubris in the global north. Keep on writing!
Thank you, Ishan. Good writing inspires us to think. And that was my musing after hearing Rudy Francisco's poem. It launched a thousand thoughts and questions. As you know, I'm from Goa. I grew up on monsoons and beaches, and drawing water from the well for everything from bathing to watering the baby coconut trees (which now tower above me when I am home).
I could not wrap my head around the fact that water might be so scare, I would take to fairy tales to share the concept with my (sometime in the future) grandchildren.
Rudy Francisco performing his poem!!! Thank you, thank you, Karena. His words, your post, brought water to my eyes.
He is a master with words, Joann. As a writer I marvel at his ability to lure me in with memories of super-soakers, then put me right in the middle of the hurt with his description of ribs, and roulette taps. And that last sentence ... ouch.
Your stand is an inspiration for us all Karena!
This tugged at, and then captured my heart: “wonder if my grandkids will ever throw a penny in a fountain. And hear it splash.”
That is the same sentence that launched my activism, @James. It stings. When I imagine a "better future" for my children and grandchildren it comes with more, not less. This put a pin in that balloon.
Holy crap. Rudy Francisco! I can't believe I have never run across him before and so grateful to have been introduced. Thank you! I watched a few more videos of him afterward. Such a testament to the power of sentient human words. From another of his poems I watched online, "I'm trying to convince my shadow that I'm someone worth following." That hit home because I struggle to convince myself that I'm part of a generation worth following and imagine the look on my kids faces when the water is gone. The question mark look they will have that I will be powerless to answer. I ride my bike all over town instead of using the car, knowing its less than an extra drop in the bucket. But what else can we do besides teach them to savor the summer?
Ahhh! Welcome to the fan club Rick! You should also take a look at "Adrenaline Rush". The man is a master with emotion. Like a great standup comic, he makes you reconsider and question the obvious.
You are a master with words and good intentions too, Rick. I see what you are doing, the questions you ask yourself and others to consider. And we are better for the discourse.
This brought me to tears. This man is incredible.
: ) searching on "adrenaline rush" now
A strong and necessary article Karena. I wonder what would change if we could be 'with' nature, rather than 'in' it - by that I mean to forego our human-centric blinkers (with the belief that nature is there for us to enjoy / exploit) and instead accept that we are a part of nature. All of the damage we have done has happened in a brief couple of hundred years, it's been written about for decades (Rachel Carson published 'Silent Spring' in 1962!) and yet those record temps, fires, floods, are still hardly piercing our hubris in the global north. Keep on writing!
Margaret - that is such a simple engagement with nature. I should have you do a guest post in my newsletter one of these days. ... Karena
That would be an honour Karena, you are showing the way to so many.
Loved this Karena. This line from one of the poems really stood out to me:
"How are we at a point where we cannot guarantee our children
and our children’s children
the pleasure and memories of this abundance?"
Thank you, Ishan. Good writing inspires us to think. And that was my musing after hearing Rudy Francisco's poem. It launched a thousand thoughts and questions. As you know, I'm from Goa. I grew up on monsoons and beaches, and drawing water from the well for everything from bathing to watering the baby coconut trees (which now tower above me when I am home).
I could not wrap my head around the fact that water might be so scare, I would take to fairy tales to share the concept with my (sometime in the future) grandchildren.
I'm waiting to read about your grandkid's reaction once you share it with them :)