A Medicine Poem (for the Revolution)

A Medicine Poem

by Caitlin Nash

The revolution is in

slowing down

way down

like drip drip honey drop

It's in checking in on your neighbour,

and not just when they're sick

The revolution is in

abandoning all "adult" tasks

to run into the forest

arms open like an aero plane plane plane

making angels in the freshly fallen snow

It's in inviting someone to play in that vulnerability with you

and not shying away

from the glimmer in their eyes

The revolution is in saying sorry

and sitting in the uncomfortable conversation

even when your head hangs

low, low, low

and your spine curves

from the weight of your own shame

It's in the grin of the activist

who lets the court's injunction

float into the fire

in the face of the police

who just handed it to her

You can say no, you know

The revolution will not be televised

And it does begin with you

*This poem was inspired by the song 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' by Gil Scot Heron

*and was written during a poetry council with Kristopher Drummond and Amy Tuttle that I highly recommend!