American Grace

by: Rick Nagin Thursday 24 November 2011

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assets/Uploads/_resampled/CroppedImage292447-RiveraAlcatraces2.jpg

Remember those who grew this food

Who picked and packed

Who shipped and sold.

Bronze rainbow arms

Have set this food upon our table.

 

Remember those who built this house

Assembled, weaved, created

Light and warmth and health.

 

Remember those who fought and died

To break the king's command, the slaver's yoke

And slay the Nazi beast.

 

Remember those who walked in darkness

Eyes on the gourd and the Trail of Tears,

Marching in Selma, martyred in Memphis

 

They can't kill the dream, Jesús y Maria,

Che on his cross in the Andean highlands

Shot in the stadium, pushed from the airplane

Martyrs for freedom

And America.

 

Never forget

Our ancient foe

His craft and power,

His cruel hate

His endless thirst

Through blood and oil

For profit, profit

Uber alles.

 

Remember those whose songs of love

Restore us still

Pablo, Diego, Woody and Giant Paul

Mus' keep on fightin', Comrades all

 

Remember those who grew this food

Who mined and forged

Who sang and loved

Who fought and died

Who made all wealth

All honor and glory,

All power and peace

Be unto you

Be unto you.

Photo: El Vendador de Alcatraces by Diego Rivera (kamikazecactus/CC)

 

 

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  • A certain farmer was wont to spend everyday laboring in his fields, and was rewarded in better years with a bountiful harvest.

    Everyday included Sundays, a fact that did not go unobserved by the local pastor of the Baptist congregation.

    Dutiful and attentive to the spiritual destinies of his flock, and the obligations that compelled expanding it, the pastor determined to visit our farmer early on a Sunday morning. As expected he found the farmer bent upon his plow.

    "Ezekiel", the pastor called the farmer by name. "I see that thee and the Lord have done well by this land. Might I see you join us to give thanks this morning for this bounty?"

    "I thank thee for thy kindness, Pastor. The land is indeed bearing fruit and promises a fine harvest. However, you should have seen it before I began working it, and the Lord had it all to himself!"

    Posted by John Case, 11/28/2011 9:46am (13 years ago)

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