Excuse Me, While I Buckle My Swash

I FIND DESPAIR AND APATHY COMMON ADVERSARIES IN ADDRESSING SOCIAL ISSUES AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION. AFTER A DISHEARTENING CONVERSATION ABOUT FAST FASHION WITH A YOUNG FINANCIALLY CHALLENGED CO-WORKER, I WAS ENCOURAGED BY A FRIEND TO REWATCH "AMAZING GRACE" ABOUT WILLIAM WILBERFORCE'S FIGHT AGAINST SLAVERY. DESPITE SOME HISTORICAL INACCURACIES, THE MOVIE RE-ENERGIZED ME AS DID A PASSAGE FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS IN MY PASTOR'S SUNDAY SERMON. MY ROMANTIC NATURE NEED NOT BE DISTANCED FROM TRUTH AND HOPE.

I pointed across the ocean

To crumbling factories and children in constant motion

Rivers dyed magenta, machinery loud

Reigned over by a poison cloud.

You debuted your pants with Shein,

The ones that fit your frame so lean.

"With my salary I cannot afford $30 pants!"

You took your stance.

My mind flashed back to my $30 jeans

Courtesy of LL Bean's

Factories decades ago

When they first moved to Mexico

Part of the privilege in which I arose?

Or did I simply have less clothes?

Your pants were fashionably torn-

The fabric nearly transparent, so ethereal

It will dissipate when worn

Not my sturdy thrifted denim material.

The code of Courtly Love

Empowered by the Pure White Dove

Compelled me to untie

Burdens that cause others to die.

"Just do the best that you are able

When you come to humanity's table!"

Then a moment's pause...

"But pardon me,"

I said a bit sheepishly,

"While I buckle my swash

And tilt at windmills, giants to squash."

"And I studied psychology,

Knowing it a fallacy,

That one person's actions make any impact,"

You asserted your fact.

"That's why I support Move Past Plastic,

Working together before things get more drastic,"

I countered, feeling your dagger

Lessening my swagger.

Still, my gosh,

I buckled my swash

Tilting at windmills

And feeling less thrills.

Then Andrea threw me a rope

That restored my hope

With thoughts of Amazing Grace

And the obstacles Wilberforce did face....

A small group of individuals said Margret Mead

Were always the force for change, indeed!

But then darker thoughts entered my head,

Filling me with dread.

"Slavery ended because it no longer made a profit.

It all comes down to money, you nitwit!"

I unbuckled my swash

As it all seemed awash.

But then Sunday's sermon sent enough light

To restore my faith in the Fight.

The Ephesians found the Pearl of Great Price

And set fire to million dollar scrolls in a thrice.

Money is just another idol

While the momentum for change grows tidal.

On God I want to be reliant

So growing more defiant,

Jimi Hendrix I intone-

My shout almost a moan,

"Excuse me while I buckle my swash!"

Windmills to tilt, giants to squash...

Cause sometimes innocent windmills hide

Dangerous giants inside!