Frank Messina

Resolutions


Have we learned
have we forgot
that its not what you have
or what you got
it’s the time spent
the time lent
to the spirit body
to the mind and body
to give to those in need
and take with, but without greed
2001, a new year’s resolution
to lose the baggage
and gain absolution
from suffering pangs
of solitude and try,
try to find a solution
not just for you or me
but for all of humanity

Today, the earth shook violently
and as it did, snuffed 20,000
lives out of India
and all the sacred scripts
couldn’t save the silent lips
of children under rubble
but while we watch TV
in our own little bubble
some feeling nothing emotionally;
perhaps it’s just another talking head
informing us of our own Armageddon
or spewing us news of a land far away
while most wonder how the Nasdaq did today

As the death toll rises and funeral pyres
reek the evening sky,
Widows hide their children for fear of aftershocks
And from 9,000 miles away all I can see is
People on line at the A&P
Bracing for another snowstorm
(My god, who’s going to shovel my doorstep?)
And stuck between headlines of Giants and Ravens
Are small mentions of catastrophic dimensions
And the Complacent States of America
Has only itself to argue with, to bargain with

2001 times

2001 mothers to tell
they lost a child and a husband
not by a mortar shell
but by circumstance
some say it was a biblical warning
others a bomb being tested
under the warming of the desert
but one thing can be found
that life in America is filled with the sound
of 2001 reminders that we are too comfortable, too numb
just look around and flick the channel
change the station,
but God forbid
if you change your mind

Oh, I’ve done that too-
thousand and one times

It’s ok, America, to feel
for others in need
and do for others in need
starting with the individual
the self, the Unity of the Commons,
the Community,
so a New Year's resolution
is to do unto others as
you wish them to you
and repeat it 2001 times
so then we can start
talking about progress
and being worthy to the world
and never being a slave to apathy and complacency
until then, start counting your blessings
2001 times

copyright 2001, 2004, Frank Messina

 

News & Of Note! - Frank Messina's 40th Birthday Celebration! - With his all-star group, OCTOPOET, featuring Scott Murawski (of Max Creek), Robbie Gordon (of Gil Scott-Heron's Amnesia Express), Souren Baronian, Victor Jones, Jay Roosa (of PaPa HooDoo) with special guests David Amram, Tyrone Cotton, Ron Whitehead, Dawn Lorentz take the party toThe Turning Point February 16th.

Also Of Note! - The Pix and Video Are In! - The Cams were there and caught the SoulProse Sights and Sounds of this Party Night at The Turning Point! Click Here To View The PhotoBook and also Click Here To View the VidClip of Ron Whitehead's kick off of the festivities with his PraisePoem, "Searching for Frank Messina"

 

The New CD from Frank Messina and Ron Whitehead!

" Walking Home"

Includes Frank's Mets poems, Playing for the Mets and Just a Game. This album features Kentucky legend Ron Whitehead, country music singer Sarah Elizabeth, blues singer Tyrone Cotton and Andy Cook. An eclectic spoken word and music album.

Click Here to read Zoe Artemis' review of "Walking Home"

Get your own CD of "Walking Home" Click Here!

For more Messina, The Mets and Everything Poetry! Click Here!

 

Frank Messina and OctoPoet
- Live at The BPC -

Messina and OctoPoet with special guest, Sudan Baronian slide thru a medley of the Spokeface favs at The Bowery Poetry Club. Lensed by Robert O'Haire.

View the medley of

You Will Not Break Me, Lead Me Not Into Temptation and Rhythm Vacuum

More Video! Frank Messina and OctoPoet - Live at The BPC - Resolutions October 2nd, 2004 Messina and OctoPoet take the stage at The Bowery Poetry Club and what was penned in 2001 is not much different as we make for 2005. Lensed by Robert O'Haire. Click Here to view the video! Also view the classic, "Bicycle" .

For more on Frank Messina, go to www.spokeface.com .