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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (July 14, 2017)
Street Roots • July 14-20, 2017 Poetry/Prose Rallying cry Aileen McPherson is a Street Roots Vendor. What Must I Do? BY AILEEN McPHERSON stood in rows, as Trumpets fierce were allowed protected attacks against roses black defending compassion, equality, and park cooled by a canopy of wizened respect. Crowds amass as time passes, treants, rooted deeply in knowledge energies fantastic with mirth and merriment of histories past, presently waiting futures untold, now what of this day the 4th we meet the hate that brings debate, sing of June in the year 2017, how remembered stories of tragedies past lest not we forget will it be. historic mistakes that many lives did break. A gathering of four factions: First to my A bright colored hero abounds, left the Unionists supporting the laborer in elsewhere innocents are tread on the older times known as the common worker ground while documenting the scene or blue collar worker seeking equal rights in around, aggressive posture continue to grow labor conditions; Second to my right the bolder weapons shouldered, give rise to socialists usually of higher education having cautions noted though there is no doubt a vested interest in political reform for the when they shout “time to get out!” Not all, collective good; Third in front of me the pro however, merely one, their focus point all Trump supporters made up of many classes the day has been in fun antagonization compiled of supremacists, bigots, fascists, looking to bait one to retaliate, for that’s all and hypocrites to be nice; Fourth and last it takes, one mistake and your life they behind me the anti-fascists - a.k.a. antifa - break. many are children of old school anarchists, Life is honor, record, relate, make no while others are the new anarchist working mistakes, all lives here are at stake, a break to change the world by breaking down the in the canopy lets light rain down, yellow old, outdated systems of inequality through smoke lingers in air pouring forth from the means of aggression, fear, and oppression, ground, where hands held high, compassion sadly with aggression, which means they does reside, while blues disgrace as mace become as dangerous as the ones they fight against. Lastly in between all factions mainly shoots this face, truth where are you now when the combative are protected and the the pro Trumpers and antifa was a fifth of innocent dejected, how can they condone the peacekeepers - a.k.a. Portland Police being human, seeking solace, not standing Bureau - paid to protect and serve, all alone. communities unbiasly from the homeless on With a rallying cry I speak disturb the the street to the bureaucrat on the hill, yet sound of silence, be heard make them see here they command a stance saying we though humble we are not meek, protecting control this land and you will disband when while defending relatives, friends, we demand. communities, our world family, from those Lines were made, antagonists crossed, a who would dominate, control, and Black Rose requested actions taken, while marginalize our civil human rights. deaf ears amused by power tripping Blues C O N T R IB U T IN G C O L U M N IS T by W ookie A I try to be a stand-up citizen To not fall into the perceptions people think People think all homeless Are the dredges Of society That we lie That we cheat That we steal So I try to help whenever I can Sometimes even when I can’t afford it I finally get a head Slightly out of water Then I lose nearly everything and Need to start over once again Is this the second time, The third or fourth Or so many times, I’ve lost count Funny thing is It isn’t the general public That does this It’s we who do it to each other I simply ask, Why? iiyinyinnBnniijinnnneiiiinnnnnnrinntwiyiiyjinenjiniyifinnnnfinnnniifyrMipc Did you serve in the Armed Forces and are experiencing > or at risk of homeless? ub1 Transition Projects Please call 855.425.5544 or visit 650 NW Irving Street D (O, All Profits to Social Justice Cannabis with Benefits Panacea is a non-dividend, triple-bottom-line company. We commit 100% of profits to affordable housing and social justice. Everyone else is just sellin'weed. Recycle your cannabis money back to the community at Panacea. 6714 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, Oregon • 503-477-5083 www.panaceapdx.com • panacea_pdx Mon-Sat, 10-8, Sun 11 -5 Missed, an issue? You can catch up on all the Street Roots news at news, streetroots.org, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook!
