Messages to Cyclone Marcia

(I)
Marcia, oh Marcia
some panic at the torment you could cause,
but I think you’re just a little sister to
some brothers called Larry and Yasi,
and you might throw a tanty and cause some havoc
but you’re a little sister,
and that makes me relieved.

Marcia, oh Marcia,
stop deciding to get bossy
tough, bigger, fiercer.
Let’s just get this straight.
You don’t need to become a big sister.
I think category 2 was quite enough.
You don’t need to become 3
– seriously the smaller you are the better.
There are so many advantages.
Why not even become a 1.

Marcia, oh Marcia
just remember to not cause too much
damage or disruption as mortals
we just can’t put up with too much of it
although we have proven capacity
we’d rather concentrate on fixing
the problems we create
without having to deal with you.

Marcia, oh Marcia.

(II)
Typical, you’re just not listening Marcia.

Isn’t that just the thing that tantruming toddlers
do right at the checkout
where the sweets used to be strategically placed.

Category 4 – Now I’m telling you that is just not on.

You can huff and puff and blow everyone’s houses inside out
sure, but do you really need to do that.

I mean there must be better things for you to do.
There is a lovely ocean view somewhere
without many people around. hint, hint…

Now I don’t want you getting any ideas about heading to
any vulnerable islands, or any other places
not keen for your arrival.

Just go and blow yourself out.
Go on – I dare you.

(c) June Perkins

 

Links – Cyclone Marcia .

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Letters never sent 1# Sounds of Silence

Image by Ivanneth – Creative Commons

17/07/2015
Brisbane

Dear Mr Simon and Mr Garfunkel,

Do you think it’s time for a sequel to Sounds of Silence?

I couldn’t believe that a certain ‘famous’ person,
who will remain nameless (because I don’t want to be sued)
but we all know who he is,
recently said this song was boring and dated.

He might have had a point.
I’m not sure the rendition of it was anywhere as heart felt
as you both together,
but perhaps that’s because the singers
felt like they were staring into the headlights of fame
and just lost their way. 

Their hearts were in the right place and
I don’t think they were able to perform
it the way they wanted. 

Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt, okay.

Maybe, the aforementioned ‘famous’ person,
just didn’t understand the deeper layers of this song. 
I’m sure his songs aren’t going to make it onto the curriculum. 
But then he probably doesn’t care because
he has plenty of money.

Maybe the cancer you thought would grow, actually has.

It’s in a modern music industry that echoes wells of meaninglessness.
Where even the protest from Rap has been watered down
and turned inside out to serve mass production.

It’s full of dance tracks and self obsessed divas and Elvis wannabees.
Give me a hard livin’ Johnny Cash
for heart and soul singing any decent modern song, any day.

So some leave to crowd fund independent albums
that are written on the tenement walls.

And slam poets take up the mantle.
Their words turning up at TedX conferences and in videos attempting to go viral.

Do you think you could write a sequel
to remind people of the sign flashing out it’s warning?

Could you maybe play your songs on the underground?

Yours respectfully, a huge fan,

June Perkins,

poet, multiplatform storyteller from Down Under

whose Dad introduced her to this song and many others by you when she was but a child.

(c) June Perkins

Writing Letters as Poetry and Protest Song

This picture is by talented artist Steve Loya

It’s always interesting to think about polemical poetry and its pros and cons.

I think of the song Pink wrote, the letter to the President.  Absolutely beautiful and powerful, and expressive of frustration. 

Do you have a question burning that you need answered, perhaps a letter format is the perfect way to write about what ails your heart.

I love it when teachers include interesting lyrics from songs on the poetry curriculum. 

One of my favourite song writers is Paul Simon.  I was rapt when he was in my son’s year 12 poetry choices to discuss.

Contemporary Australian song writers I love are Archie Roach, Steve Pigram, Shane Howard, and Alesa Lajana.  They never shy away from difficult topics.

They write from the heart.  They engage with nature, history, place, and so much more.

 

See the song here: Mr President

(c) June Perkins