I am a spoken word artist and I have been performing in open mic nights at local coffee shops over the past five months. When I started, I had eight poems and a timid heart. Now, I am happy to say that I have over seventy poems and my heart soars more and more as I share. People offer their encouragement as I step into my calling. In the upcoming year, I have plans to begin my own show that I am calling “Spoken Love with Carlie”. I will share this at coffee shops along with some musician friends who may join me and make a spoken word and musical sandwich, which happens to be very yummy!
One place of passion for me lies in encouraging consumers to consider how they spend their dollars in ethical and helpful ways, and how business owners can work for the people and the planet to better serve and create a healthier form of economy. I performed a piece called “Dare to Share” at a recent conference in Victoria called Living the New Economy and that was great fun. I also began a new publication that I plan to distribute quarterly called “Business Spotlight: Hearts, Hands, and Lands” and you can find my first article on my website.
The poem that I will share with you now comes to me with good timing. With our holiday season and upcoming 2015 year, perhaps we could all choose to make goals for how we wish to empower people, businesses, the economy and our sacred earth. I know it can be hard, but we can choose to give our best efforts and forgive ourselves and others when we fall short. We are all in this together after all. So, here is my poem:
Dear Consumer
To every person who has even a dollar or two
I have a few things to remind you
You may think that you have no choice
That your tiny dollar has no voice
But it is time to rejoice
That it does
Because
It has value beyond what you’d think
And now is the time to iron out the kinks
Our money speaks loud and clear
It brings either greed or good heart ever near
It is time to hear the hearts that cry
Time to open our minds and ask why
We must understand that with money in hands
We can call forth those who service our lands
Pay pockets who care, who prepare with love
Pad those who are willing to remove their gloves
Roll up their sleeves and do whatever it takes
To shake corruption, greed, and corporation
In better service of every nation
Who with elation offer their goods
We should raise these folks to elevation
It may take more time
Some creative shopping
But let us not consider stopping
Let’s start hopping to drop our dollars
On those who can loosen their collars
So many great businesses rising and gleaming
In need of our help to keep their fruit streaming
I can no longer stomach food made from crap
My lap has no room for products that reek of oppression and disdain
These have reigned for too long
Now we hear another song
Let’s make belong our local shops
Making frequent stops to buy fresh and green
This is what I mean
Look for love, care, flair, share, repair, passion, and creative fashion
Those who honor new economy
Those who call us down on our knees
To please Mother Earth
These are the ones who are worth every penny we can spare
Please won’t all consumers care, become aware
That we can either keep buying the mess
Or confess, profess that hearts and new starts are much better
Come on consumers, I urge you to try
Look your business owners right in the eye
A place without smiles, treating people and earth mean
Ought to be distanced by miles and miles
Let’s reward our friends who understand
Find the ones who will take our hands
Serve our lands
Who will kiss our cheeks
This is how our money speaks
Thank you for your ear … or rather your eyes as you read. Spoken word art is amazing and if you haven’t had the opportunity to experience it, I’d urge you to give it a try. Look it up online or catch a show if one comes along. The best spoken word, if you ask me, is that which stems from passion rather than rage. There are many talented and promising artists out there, especially in Victoria and Vancouver (Canada is a hub of this form of art!) and I would imagine that you’d be more likely to appreciate work that comes from love and passion. I’ll leave it up to you to make your own verdict on this and to find those artists who speak to you.
Spoken word is meant to be spoken, and so by reading just my words on the page or screen, some of the best parts are left out. The power and inspiration comes through the performer’s eyes, speech, timing, emphasis, use of body language, acting, and the heart to heart connection between artist and audience. The great thing is that good poetry stands alone. I am confident that this is still a good poem and so I gladly share it with you. I hope it might stir into your heart and have you think, consider, and come to good directions in your life as we all attempt to take healthier routes. I send peace with you all and wish you the most bright and vibrant year of 2015!
Carlie Kilduff
Website
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