What is real power?
This fragment of an old song has been haunting me:
Something is out of reach
Something he wanted
Something is out of reach
He's being taunted
Something is out of reach
That he can't beg or steal (nor can he buy)
So I tracked down the full lyrics (below) and found the timeless tale of broken souls blinded by greed, the power elite despoiling our Earth and hoarding resources.
But these words hit differently now that masked thugs are doing the evil bidding of an authoritarian regime. Physically violent henchmen are acting as willing tools of economically violent men. Both have sold their humanity, their connection and belonging within the larger community, to try and feel more powerful and superior by using blunt force.
And it makes me wonder: What is real power? Who has it? What can we do with it?
Our friends up North are showing us in real time. We’re all seeing the organized collective power in Minnesota as the greater community is facing the ICE storm with their full humanity proudly on display. The resistance looks like everyday people banding together. Mutual aid has many faces:
singing to neighbors afraid to leave their homes
observing and documenting abuse where they cannot prevent it
healing and strengthening with the ancient Medicine of Aztec dancers and Native jingle dress dancers
walking out and marching with signs, chants, and parade puppets
praying at memorials and vigils to honor those harmed
making safe passage on candlelit streets for vulnerable neighbors
guarding neighborhoods with checkpoints to keep ICE out
delivering food, giving rides, taking care of kids and elders
giving sanctuary in homes and houses of faith
creating moving sculptures for anti-ICE sledding contests
All this with intelligence, heart, creativity, good humor, faith, guts, and the resilience of a very tough people with deep social democratic roots who’ve adapted to the cold.
Can we replicate this nationwide, each place expressing local flavor in the Resistance? Have we always had it in us to share and take care of our communities? Could our governments support and serve this ground up leadership?
The Way of the Leader calls us all to show up and take a stand. May we all rise to lead and stand together in small and large ways, as fits our own unique gifts and abilities. The people have the power, together.
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A Campfire Song
Natalie Merchant wrote and composed ‘A Campfire Song’ in the mid-1980’s and recorded it with 10,000 Maniacs with guest vocalist Michael Stipe on the album IN MY TRIBE.
[Verse 1: Natalie Merchant]
A lie to say, "o, my mountain has coal veins and beds to dig
500 men with axes and they all dig for me"
A lie to say, "o, my river where many fish do swim
Half of the catch is mine when you haul your nets in"
[Chorus: Natalie Merchant]
Never will he believe that his greed is a blinding ray
No devil or redeemer will cheat him
He'll take his gold to where he's lying cold
[Verse 2: Natalie Merchant]
A lie to say, "o, my mine gave a diamond as big as a fist"
But with every gem in his pocket, the jewels he has missed
A lie to say, "o, my garden is growing taller by the day"
He only eats the best and tosses the rest away
[Chorus: Natalie Merchant]
Never will he be believe that his greed is a blinding ray
No devil or redeemer can cheat him
He'll take his gold to where he's lying cold
Six deep in the grave
[Bridge: Natalie Merchant, Michael Stipe]
His oldest pain and fear in life
There'll not be time
His oldest pain and fear in life
There'll not be time
Hey hey
Nor can he buy
Something is out of reach
Something he wanted
Something is out of reach
He's being taunted
Something is out of reach
That he can't beg or steal
[Verse 4: Natalie Merchant]
A lie to say "o, my forest has trees that block the sun
And when I cut them down I don't answer to anyone"
[Chorus: Natalie Merchant]
No, no, never will he believe that his greed is a blinding ray
No devil or redeemer can cheat him
He'll take his gold where he's lying cold
Six deep in the grave.in
