Richard Wells: “I consider myself a poet/journalist reporting from the streets and the universe between my ears. I live part time in Seattle, WA, the other part in Guanajuato, Mexico. Recently I wrote and produced a 50 minute work with 5 readers, 2 of them musicians, that explored intersections of the environmental catastrophe and immigration. The name of the work was: Sideways Through Zion: Field Notes. This is a short piece from that performance.”
and could not recall the birth of
their own dreams.
So, seeing themselves superior,
these uber-americans,
these super-americans
built an economic and social
fortress
of solitude
to isolate the immigrants.
But the Mukdahanhs had been forged
in the land
of Suriyothai queens and kings,
farmers and builders, philosophers
and scholars.
They came from generations of a
people
who tamed the jungles to build
temples
and foster beliefs of love, peace
and enlightenment.
The Mukdahanhs were not afraid
of adversity nor obstacles.
So, they held on to one another
and continued to seek their dream
of a better life for their progeny,
and a place to live out their love.
So they worked.
They worked hard.
Educated their seed.
Lived their lives honest and true,
withstood tempests and maelstroms,
bigotry and misfortune.
All the while remaining a family …
an American family.
Then without fanfare nor opulence
they did more than simply find
the American Dream …
they became the American Dream:
“Give me your tired, your poor, your
huddled masses
yearning to breathe free”
because they are the chosen ones.
They built this country
and are still building our country.
Let us never forget
that the global immigrant
is the well spring of our nation’s
wealth.
The American Dream
is a dream of immigrants
and it always has been.
Let us celebrate
the two young Lao lovers
who crossed jungles and rivers,
faced soldiers and camps,
fought poverty and racism,
all for a chance to … love,
raise their children
and grow old … together.
This is the song of
Leuane and Chanty Mukdahanh …
an American family.
Artist and About the Piece:
DaRell Pittman: “The poem is a testament to the love, persistence and faith of my in-laws. They overcame tremendous obstacles to simply stay alive in Laos and Thailand. Then once here in the United States, they were forced to continue to have to stand against injustice. My father-in-law, Leuane Mukdahanh is one of my heroes and I wanted to pay tribute to “The Mukdahanh story.”
7 Trump, Ivanka. Online Interview with Andrew Bevan. TeenVogue. March 28, 2012
8 Trump, Ivanka. Listed as Headliner. 2016 Republican Convention. July 21, 2016
9 Trump, Donald. Tweet. Twitter. June 29,2017
10 Trump, Ivanka. Interview with unnamed reporter from Associated Press. Ivanka Trump says child tax credit ‘not a pet project’ by Catherine Lucey. Associated Press November 15, 2017
11 Trump, Donald. Video Recording with Billy Bush. Access Hollywood. NBC. 2005
12 Trump, Donald. Radio Interview with Howard Stern. The Howard Stern Show. WXRK. September 2005
13 Trump, Ivanka. The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life. Touchstone. April 20, 2010
14 Trump, Ivanka. Interview with Rachel Gillett. Ivanka Trump describes her life as the daughter of a potential US president, running the Trump empire, and building her own brand. Yahoo Finance. March 17, 2016
About the Artist:
HanaLena Fennel is a Jewish-Hawaiian American poet. She has writtten a book, Letters to the Leader, published by Moon Tide Press in response to the numerous executive orders issued during Trump’s term in office.
vaguely recall one most burrowing that makes me sore –
about a civilian Government and nakedness,
albeit I may make a mistake; this recalling process
is like the body of a refugee swept ashore.
In the milieu drums the sea.
Our eyes smile in white.
Gulls’ aerobics loop a muss.
Where else can I misplace a book but on the shelf of conscience?
Artist Bio:
Authored ‘The Circus Came To My Island’, ‘A Place For Your Ghost Animals, Understanding The Neighborhood’, ‘Scratches Within’, ‘Kleptomaniac’s Book of Unoriginal Poems’, ‘Eternity Restoration Project- Selected and New Poems’ and now ‘Herding My Thoughts To The Slaughterhouse-A Prequel’ (Alien Buddha Press)
I am so excited that this month I am able to continue that series and share it with you all for the month of November! Wonderful artists have put together heartfelt work to shine their light into darkness.
Their pieces are in efforts to promote the celebration of all countries, to humanize cultures who have been dehumanized, and to show support of those suffering due to racism. It is also a peaceful protest against the inhumane treatment of immigrants and refugees happening in the U.S.
This is not about politics, but about making humanity the priority.
Join us in spreading these arts of love by liking, commenting, and sharing these upcoming beautiful pieces.
