image from timelife.com
No Cops in Heaven
“You got to ride change like a bronc; hold on tight
and try not to get thrown.”--Woody Guthrie.
Those progressive songs that Woody has sung,
with calloused fingers and bleeding lips,
march timely on proletarian tongues.
When the Dust Bowl was more than mere words,
when it was difficult to catch your breath,
you would envy every free-flying bird.
The people got their righteous anger on,
rolling like thundering waves from the sea,
knowing full well who to focus dissent upon.
Cops and thugs always blocked their way,
as their blended fury created a frightful sound
that kept the guard dogs at bay.
Woody stood tall and made a stirring speech,
his ideas were much clearer than the rest;
sand in his rolled cuffs wasn’t from some beach.
His radio shows helped a lot to inspire;
on his guitar: This machine kills fascists”.
We got off our knees and held our heads higher.
Glenn Buttkus
Posted over at d'Verse Poets Pub
21 comments:
I love Woody Guthrie, Glenn, and enjoyed your homage to him. I’d not seen that image before or read the quote– wonderful! I enjoyed the poem you created around the word sets – and you used them all!
Those songs against injustice. I wonder why it's so much harder to see the present injustices than those in the past.
Very cool, Glenn. I like the way your words flow so naturally. Timely piece too!
That is an unusual quote to put on a guitar: "This machine kills fascists"
Music is a direct circuit to the divine. When the divine is engaged, shadows flee. Woody knew it. Great use of the prompt words to sing Woody's praises <3
It's a good image you created in the penultimate stanza, original and powerful.
This is one big creative step away from the original and yet you found a way to use those rhyme sets brilliantly - (coincidentally have been listening to Guthrie yet again very recently)
Wow! you really knocked it out of the park. Love Woody Guthrie.
A time well cpatured.
Wow, Glenn, you used ALL the rhymes plus an original set of your own...and it flowed!
I think this prompt was open to writing something quite mannered, but you turned it into something direct, straightforward, plain talking and urgent.
Seems we are truly "riding change like a bronco". No doubt entire families are getting reacquainted in this enforced sheltering at home!
Great last line
You took this prompt and the words, and created an entirely different feel to them. Well done Glenn!
Sure sounds like you were there, Glenn!
great title, fulfilled in the pen, Glenn.
ever listen to Jonatha Brooke's album 'The Works"? some cool re-interpretations there of Guthrie. ~
Songs agains injustice - we need more of those now. I love the entire poem, the last line especially.
WellI don't know what the prompt was (you haven't linked to it, only to dVerse in general) but it doesn't matter, the poem is great regardless of how it originated. Yes, he was such a master of telling it true and real. Alas, where is the Woody Guthrie (or even the Bob Dylan) for our times? Well, Billy Bragg perhaps, but I haven't heard him lately; will have to go hunting.
Woody was a singer for our time -- Dust Bowls come again -- and his compassion for the everyday and everyman filled up so much aching space during the Depression. We can sing, too. Thanks for posting at earthweal. -- Brendan
I wonder what songs he would write today....well done, Glenn.
I have "This land Is Your Land" looping through my head with a bit of "The Times They Are A Changin" by Dylan.
Stay safe and healthy in your corner of the world :)
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