With everything I read of yours, Caitlin, my eyes have truly opened. It’s rare to hear someone say how things really are with a truthful heart. It’s rare in this world today to hold pure wonder too.
New York City and Seattle just elected democratic socialists who condemn genocide in Gaza as mayors. We can wall in despair or lend a hand to bring about change.
`The belief that all politicians are corrupt is what those in power (the oligarchy) want you to believe, so you think it meaningless to vote or support some of them, which leaves the oligarchs in power without your opposition. Cynicism breeds apathy, and apathy is impotence, which is, in effect, support for those who do not want you to become active.
Please people do not yield to cynicism. Its so important things are not business as usual anymore. We have lives at stake and too much hope has been lost to give into apathy anymore. Humanization must continue from the bottom up and humanistic mayors are a very good trend!!!
The only possibility of change is at hand as both parties are distrusted by the public, for good reason, but parties can change: the racist Democratic Party became the champion of civil rights and the progressive Republican Party became the anti-progressive party. So we must join the struggle to transform the Democratic Party by electing progressive and socialist candidates who are not part of the old corrupt system and do not rely on millionaires for support. We know the disease (money corrupts) and we know the curee, so rather than curse the system, let's change it.
Sorry, I've been hearing this now for decades. The Democratic party can be "changed" from within. Although it is nice to see someone like Mamdani win - it was more of a fluke, an outlier. The Democratic party remains corrupt, operates in a corrupt, money-driven political system, a system I no longer view as legitimate. The system itself needs to be fixed, and it won't happen spontaneously from within.
The Democratic Party, currently in a battle between the establishment centrist liberals and the socialists and progressives, has a history of transformation. Progressives are winning all over...not outliers but a trend in which the public seeks to replace the disappointing centrists with leftist alternatives. IN Seattle, another democratic socialist just won as mayor. All movements start small and are mocked, denounced, marginalized......so you can either reneforce that or join the movement to change America by turning the Democratic Party into the voice of the people by electing socialists and progressives who refuse to take Big Money and therefore represent those who elected them, not the wealthy elites that buy elections. Which side are you on? Join us and work for change....the Democratic Party can only be changed if we the people support change. Refusing to be part of that means it will NOT change and that will lead to more Trumps. So either lend a hand or get out of the way. Democratic socialists are committed not only to fixing the system but changing it. Join us and make us stronger...nothing else will work. If you have another plan, rather than to surrender to pessimism, what is it?
America doesnt fly high on its success in managing to float several political parties, so much either or thinking muddles the need for shades of difference...and proportional representation as well..
We so badly need to try harder to manage our own dying democracy!!
sorta , but the greed and corruption and the lust for power and control run very very deep , as are the pockets of those behind the scenes who pull the strings
well said CA, and find your treasure in life where others see only trash. Beautiful things like sunsets and the play of light through autumn leaves are treasures in my view, while others might see them as nothing to write home about.
This poem will inspire the poet in anyone who reads it. Inspiring. It had my thoughts going in so many directions. I've always wanted to say that your writings, Caitlin, are poetic, even in prose form, but now you've proven that you are a true poet. And thank you, Tim, for the read aloud, as poetry should be read aloud, in my opinion. Then listened to, over and over and over again, as the nuances can get lost in just one read.
I will end by saying,
"One man's trash is another man's treasure."
To those of us who "had" to shop at thrift stores,
the Salvation Army or Goodwill.
To those of us who have stood in the food bank lines.
To those of us who have rummaged through discarded trash
on the side of the road.
To those of us who built our homes
from pieces of discarded wood, copper pipes and crates.
To those of us who receive clothing from foreign donors.
To those of us who take that last puff on a discarded butt.
To those of us who rummage through barrels of "clothes and shoes" here.
To those of us who, after long working hours in a restaurant,
take the left-overs home so our families can eat.
To those of us who were starved, feast on the blessing of a "beached whale".
To those of us who find shelter in abandoned buildings.
To those of us who, while rummaging through our bombed out home,
find a picture of a loved one who's buried underneath.
To those of us who rummage through mountains of toxic trash dumps for economic survival.
To those of us, adopted to loving parents after an unwanted pregnancy.
To those of us who found that nickel needed to make a bus fare.
To those of us who beautify our community with flower pots
made of old tires.
To those of us who "treasure" shiny rocks from our childhood.
To those of us, who find new "worth" after being "trashed" by a lover.
"One man's trash is another man's treasure."
In a world, where so much is trashed, where throwing something away is easier than repurposing it, where purchased items are sealed in layers of wrappings only to be trashed, where tons and tons of non-biodegradable items pile up and pollute the oceans, where bombs worth billions are used to trash our planet.... it's no wonder we have such a throw-away approach to people, places and things.
Those were the days, when all was new and exciting and yes, there were treasures everywhere. I have a polished rock that has been with me forever, I can no longer recall where I picked it up, or why, but cannot throw it away; there's something special about it.
Davina, I have one too! It’s a small flat stone with a natural hole in it that my daughter found and gave to me when she was a little girl.
It still resides in the antique spice cabinet that passes for my “jewelry box”. I’ll treasure it forever.
Another “treasure” is a bird’s nest I found and still have. I don’t know who made it but it was constructed almost entirely out of my horse’s tail hair!
There is so much evil and corruption in this world, but it thrives only because we allow it to dominate. Whilst treasure remains all around us, we just need a clear mind to see it!
This brought tears to my eyes. Thank you. I so know what you mean and it is so sad. Maybe the evil exposing itself especially in Palestine and of course Sudan and… and.. is opening the cold and empty hearts of people worldwide again.
This poem is heartbreaking. What MANkind is doing to this beautiful world is heartbreaking. What MANkind is doing to themselves is heartbreaking. I really hope there is hope left…
With everything I read of yours, Caitlin, my eyes have truly opened. It’s rare to hear someone say how things really are with a truthful heart. It’s rare in this world today to hold pure wonder too.
You are a real treasure. Your writing and your painting are windows to who you are.
New York City and Seattle just elected democratic socialists who condemn genocide in Gaza as mayors. We can wall in despair or lend a hand to bring about change.
One can hope, they both don't end up being just another typical, corrupt US politician.
`The belief that all politicians are corrupt is what those in power (the oligarchy) want you to believe, so you think it meaningless to vote or support some of them, which leaves the oligarchs in power without your opposition. Cynicism breeds apathy, and apathy is impotence, which is, in effect, support for those who do not want you to become active.
Please people do not yield to cynicism. Its so important things are not business as usual anymore. We have lives at stake and too much hope has been lost to give into apathy anymore. Humanization must continue from the bottom up and humanistic mayors are a very good trend!!!
The majority of US politicians are corrupt. Both political parties are extremely corrupt.
The electoral system is corrupt.
Only a fool continues to do the same thing over and over again, and expects different results.
The only possibility of change is at hand as both parties are distrusted by the public, for good reason, but parties can change: the racist Democratic Party became the champion of civil rights and the progressive Republican Party became the anti-progressive party. So we must join the struggle to transform the Democratic Party by electing progressive and socialist candidates who are not part of the old corrupt system and do not rely on millionaires for support. We know the disease (money corrupts) and we know the curee, so rather than curse the system, let's change it.
Sorry, I've been hearing this now for decades. The Democratic party can be "changed" from within. Although it is nice to see someone like Mamdani win - it was more of a fluke, an outlier. The Democratic party remains corrupt, operates in a corrupt, money-driven political system, a system I no longer view as legitimate. The system itself needs to be fixed, and it won't happen spontaneously from within.
The Democratic Party, currently in a battle between the establishment centrist liberals and the socialists and progressives, has a history of transformation. Progressives are winning all over...not outliers but a trend in which the public seeks to replace the disappointing centrists with leftist alternatives. IN Seattle, another democratic socialist just won as mayor. All movements start small and are mocked, denounced, marginalized......so you can either reneforce that or join the movement to change America by turning the Democratic Party into the voice of the people by electing socialists and progressives who refuse to take Big Money and therefore represent those who elected them, not the wealthy elites that buy elections. Which side are you on? Join us and work for change....the Democratic Party can only be changed if we the people support change. Refusing to be part of that means it will NOT change and that will lead to more Trumps. So either lend a hand or get out of the way. Democratic socialists are committed not only to fixing the system but changing it. Join us and make us stronger...nothing else will work. If you have another plan, rather than to surrender to pessimism, what is it?
America doesnt fly high on its success in managing to float several political parties, so much either or thinking muddles the need for shades of difference...and proportional representation as well..
We so badly need to try harder to manage our own dying democracy!!
sorta , but the greed and corruption and the lust for power and control run very very deep , as are the pockets of those behind the scenes who pull the strings
Thank you, Caitlin and Tim. You rock.
That’s the most beautiful piece I’ve read on Substack in some time. Thank you.
Wow. Well written, leaves feelings awake. Treasure is certainly subject to the self. These words are treasure on their own. Thank you 🖤
Bravo Caitlin! 🌹
Where your heart is, that's where your treasure lies... Take heart and enjoy the shiny bits on the shoreline.
well said CA, and find your treasure in life where others see only trash. Beautiful things like sunsets and the play of light through autumn leaves are treasures in my view, while others might see them as nothing to write home about.
This poem will inspire the poet in anyone who reads it. Inspiring. It had my thoughts going in so many directions. I've always wanted to say that your writings, Caitlin, are poetic, even in prose form, but now you've proven that you are a true poet. And thank you, Tim, for the read aloud, as poetry should be read aloud, in my opinion. Then listened to, over and over and over again, as the nuances can get lost in just one read.
I will end by saying,
"One man's trash is another man's treasure."
To those of us who "had" to shop at thrift stores,
the Salvation Army or Goodwill.
To those of us who have stood in the food bank lines.
To those of us who have rummaged through discarded trash
on the side of the road.
To those of us who built our homes
from pieces of discarded wood, copper pipes and crates.
To those of us who receive clothing from foreign donors.
To those of us who take that last puff on a discarded butt.
To those of us who rummage through barrels of "clothes and shoes" here.
To those of us who, after long working hours in a restaurant,
take the left-overs home so our families can eat.
To those of us who were starved, feast on the blessing of a "beached whale".
To those of us who find shelter in abandoned buildings.
To those of us who, while rummaging through our bombed out home,
find a picture of a loved one who's buried underneath.
To those of us who rummage through mountains of toxic trash dumps for economic survival.
To those of us, adopted to loving parents after an unwanted pregnancy.
To those of us who found that nickel needed to make a bus fare.
To those of us who beautify our community with flower pots
made of old tires.
To those of us who "treasure" shiny rocks from our childhood.
To those of us, who find new "worth" after being "trashed" by a lover.
"One man's trash is another man's treasure."
In a world, where so much is trashed, where throwing something away is easier than repurposing it, where purchased items are sealed in layers of wrappings only to be trashed, where tons and tons of non-biodegradable items pile up and pollute the oceans, where bombs worth billions are used to trash our planet.... it's no wonder we have such a throw-away approach to people, places and things.
Nothing is sacred.
Everything is disposable.
Capitalism sits on the trash-heap of history.
Beautiful! Thank you, Caitlin
💞
Oh man… this hit me hard.
Those were the days, when all was new and exciting and yes, there were treasures everywhere. I have a polished rock that has been with me forever, I can no longer recall where I picked it up, or why, but cannot throw it away; there's something special about it.
Davina, I have one too! It’s a small flat stone with a natural hole in it that my daughter found and gave to me when she was a little girl.
It still resides in the antique spice cabinet that passes for my “jewelry box”. I’ll treasure it forever.
Another “treasure” is a bird’s nest I found and still have. I don’t know who made it but it was constructed almost entirely out of my horse’s tail hair!
You old softy, you ❤️
lol Davina…I’m like a burnt marshmallow. Tough on the outside, all soft and gooey on the inside 😉
You wouldn't get so angry about the unfairness and torture of Palestinians by Israelis if you were tough inside and out.
"Not what I wert,
But what I am. My day
Is but a chain of incidents
Even as thine shall be.
From this I may take no part.
Even so with thee. My day is but
A cup which hold the molten stuff
Which shall become me."
~pw #LB
There is so much evil and corruption in this world, but it thrives only because we allow it to dominate. Whilst treasure remains all around us, we just need a clear mind to see it!
What can I add? The rest of you commenters covered it all.
This brought tears to my eyes. Thank you. I so know what you mean and it is so sad. Maybe the evil exposing itself especially in Palestine and of course Sudan and… and.. is opening the cold and empty hearts of people worldwide again.
This poem is heartbreaking. What MANkind is doing to this beautiful world is heartbreaking. What MANkind is doing to themselves is heartbreaking. I really hope there is hope left…