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Toast to a Jack-Ass~ By Barbara Waldern

5/7/2014

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Say what they will, the system sucks!
Only a few can get a hold o’ them bucks.
There are always plenty like you to spare,
The constant threat, the deep rooted scare.
All most can do is hang on for the ride,
Long as we can, keep a grip on our pride.
May as well say, “Then aw, fuck it!
To them I’m just a drop in the bucket.
Sink or swim, try hard to survive--
Man, that can’t be why I’m alive!”
I like your West Coast, “whatever, maybe”
And your jive talkin’ soft hard edge, baby.
You’re a rockin’ guy with intense ‘tude
Wild at heart but still city dude.
Association with rebellion’s required--
I’m doing my best to get unwired
From the doctrines and promises that keep us penned in,
Hearts closed, minds trapped, pain never endin’.

Staying off the beaten track,
Forward conviction, no looking back--
That’s where I would rather be,
Oppression has no place for me.
But just because that path is jagged
Don’t mean you must live ragged.
The journey’s sweet with company
In discord or full symphony
Of tales, woes, joys, inner riches
Electrifying soul and soothing itches.

Stubborn love, contrary desire,
Easy to skip from pan to fire.
Still, better to face the predicament
Better to mitigate lament.
Better to love and to do it well,
Than end a sorry life in hell.
Sacred be doing what’s right,
Bucking the system, putting up a fight.
I knew a man that regret had drowned,
His ghost still keeps moping around.

Here’s to the people who rise from morass!
Here’s to the one who dare act like an ass!


Author Bio:
I was born and spent most of my life in Vancouver, BC (Canada) before I moved overseas to make a new life as an English teacher in South Korea. I have studied language and social science, but the best education is activism combined with reading of literature, news and commentary on important issues. 
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