(music on Youtube at “Oakland General Strike 11-2-2011” http://youtu.be/0rZG0JcKQYo)
they can take all of our houses
those of us who have houses
they can take all of our jobs
those of us who have jobs
they can take all of our money
those of us who have money
they can describe us as mobs
a bunch of undisciplined slobs
but we've learned to live with our neighbors
we've learned to live in the street
with nothing at all to protect us
sharing whatever we eat
we recognize that we're brothers and sisters
and family to hold and to love
now and forever today and together
on earth under heavens above
we're made of music and starlight
we're made of colors and song
we're born to dance on the planet together
beautiful graceful and strong
they can fill up all the prisons
shut down the schools and parks
they can keep warm with their money
we can keep warm with our hearts
somewhere they're counting their money
money that used to be ours
piling it up in their savings
money that used to be ours
shaking their heads as we're kicked to the curb
but insisting they're feeling our pain
taking our keys on the way out the door
and they'll do it again and again
but we've learned the smallest among us
the most beaten impoverished soul
is a wealth and a fountain of beauty
and crucial to making us whole
there isn't one of us we'll leave behind
as we remake the world that we know
this isn't work this is dancing together
and singing and making it so
Click here to hear the song
called Have Yourself a Slice of Occupy which is on Youtube
with a slideshow of Occupy Oakland and Berkeley photos at
http://youtu.be/_WlSOkadPaw
we are having quite a slice of occupy
hot, fresh, wild, delicious occupy
stir it up a nice hot cup of occupy
share it with your friends and neighbors
taste the fruit of all your labors
be the first one on your block to occupy
wind it up and set your clock to occupy
tell the cops and tell the mayor
you've become an occuplayer
have yourself a slice of occupy
grab your tent and screw the rent come occupy
join the slackers and the hackers occupy
meet the folks who lost their homes
meet the folks who never owned one
meet the folks down to the bone you'll
find you'll never be alone
grab a sign and join a the line at occupy
admit you're the 99 and occupy
if your tent don't get reception
change your channel of perception
have yourself a slice of occupy
don't you love the great outdoors
there's no bureaucracy
but your meeting might be endless
it's democracy – you gotta love it
don't be late no need to wait just occupy
have yourself a heaping plate of occupy
hop on your bike and be the mike at occupy
the rich are going to miss the fun
but afterwards we'll all be one
lose your frown and dance around at occupy
boot the blues and make the news at occupy
this ain't no occupy in the sky
and there's more to occupy than meets the eye
come have yourself a slice of occupy
(we really mean it)
have yourself a slice of occupy
Occupy in your Face Haiku! by Carol Denney 11/8/2011
Occupy baking!
Occupy in the oven!
Occupy on fire!
Poem for the Human Microphone, by Carol Denney 10-30-11
Mike check!
( Mike check!)
There is nothing more annoying…
(There is nothing more annoying…)
Than having people repeat…
(Than having people repeat…)
Every single thing you say…
(Every single thing you say…)
No matter how boring...
(No matter how boring...)
No, really, quit it!
(No, really, quit it!)
Oh, so that's how it is!
(Oh, so that's how it is!)
Well, then, you are so beautiful.
(Well, then, you are so beautiful.)
You are the most talented person I've ever met.
(You are the most talented person I've ever met.)
We all adore you.
(We all adore you.)
Now shut up!
(Now shut up!)
Agenda: Second Poem for the Human Microphone, by Carol Denney 11-18-2011
it was hard to schedule
(it was hard to schedule)
my poetry reading at Occupy
(my poetry reading at Occupy)
it was raining
(it was raining)
and they were busy
(and they were busy)
and they were hungry
(and they were hungry)
the only one who would listen to me
(the only one who would listen to me)
was a dog
(was a dog)
but he was a good listener
(but he was a good listener)
very attentive
(very attentive)
he wagged his tail
(he wagged his tail)
I think we both felt better
(I think we both felt better)
then I listened to him
(then I listened to him)
he was a master
(he was a master)
he was an excellent poet
(he was an excellent poet)
and he was a very good dog
(and he was a very good dog)
The Drunk at Your GA, by Carol Denney January 15, 2012
the drunk at your general assembly
is like a basking shark
with minimal movement
and a wide mouth
he nourishes himself
in a vast migratory pattern
he annoys some
he frightens others
but he is a participant
exclude him
at your ecological peril
Carol Denney is a community activist, musician, and bike commuter.