17 Jul When the water is gone – Rudy Francisco

How do I tell a story that enrolls you in a journey to be taken together?
A journey to save the water, and offer it as the same elixir for our children that we knew as kids?

This poem, by spoken word artist Rudy Francisco
has taken up significant real estate in my head since I landed on it last year.
He paints pictures with words,
walks you through drenched sidewalks
where the laughter and high pitched screams of kids ping off the walls in the neighbourhood.

Get as much July into my lungs

We are grateful that the summer has arrived
At last!

How many of us have super memories of lazy hazy days on a dock or jetty
Or the stick of our clothes to our bodies as we hasten off the subway and dash home for a cleansing shower?

What does July mean to you?

Super soakers, slip & slides

So many memories of summer come attached with water –
and the need to cool down

In North America
it is usually kids in neon suits and boards shorts
dripping from top to toe
hydrating on giant popsicles

In another part of the world,
it could be a dip in the river
or taking in the cool breeze as you play on the edge of the beach

Or it could be a handkerchief,
soaked in water,
pressed to the back of the neck
catching a breeze
as your own private air conditioning

In one generation

How did we give all this up?
In the space of one generation?
How are we at a point where we cannot guarantee our children
and our children’s children
the pleasure and memories of this abundance?

In the span of one generation, we are watching rivers run dry
Dams being built
Droughts across the land
Deluge as the infrequent rains slips off the dry earth
hardened with the heat
like it is some fine ceramic

What ‘better’ were we seeking for them
that it came at the expense of what was free and abundant?

Be careful how you use the water

When you tell the story of your youth
Will it include water?

How will you describe it?
What will be your words?

Or do you think you will
take your grandchild by the hand
and run their fingers under a tap.

#MakeTakeTalk

How did this poem affect you?
How will you choose to share it?

CREDIT & THANKS; DEFINITIONS & RESOURCES:

• For more on Rudy Francisco – https://www.iamrudyfrancisco.com/
• I highly recommend his poem ‘Volcano surfing’ for those who want to become BLM aware https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh09jZ49N9g&t=12s
• TILT the Future – my podcast discusses how little ideas, small shifts and minute moments can result in monumental changes in our lives https://karenadesouza.com/blog/
• Find a version of this thought for today article on LinkedIn and Instagram
• Photo, audio & video credits: Karena de Souza using Canva