I wrote this six years ago on the day of Trump’s inauguration. I was re-reading it and wondering if those that disagreed with me at the time have ever had a change of thought? My question still stands “Will a dream for a better America arise from the ashes of despair?” Or will we see an even worse cadre of political prospects in 2024 than Trump was. People just as regressive but even more cunning like Ron DeSantis, Ted Cruz, Glenn Youngkin and Greg Abbott.
Many of you have no doubt heard the tone poem by Carl Orff titled Carmina Burana. One of the famous parts of this musical piece is taken from a poem called “O Fortuna.” It is a Medieval Latin poem written early in the 13th century. I started thinking about it today as Trump became the 45th President of the United States of America. I have never much believed in fate, preferring to think that we are masters of our own destiny and fate be dammed. But as the inexorable reality of the inauguration kept intruding on my existence, I was forced back to the conclusion that perhaps fortune does rule the world. (To listen click here O Fortuna)
Like the moon you are changeable,
ever waxing and waning;
hateful life first oppresses and then soothes as fancy takes it;
poverty and power it melts them like…
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Aging Capriciously 
Mar 03, 2023 @ 22:53:40
Carmina Burana is one of my favorite pieces of music. I had never thought of it in the context of the politics of 2016 on. But I do understand that it is quite fitting. As to 2024? Hopefully, the fog will lift from the consciousness of the beguiled, and some semblance of logical, empathetic, educated, and responsible adults will vote to bring a sense of decorum back into the halls of government and education in this country.
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Mar 04, 2023 @ 10:22:40
Dear Cherune, thank you for the comment. I sure hope you are right. John
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Mar 05, 2023 @ 08:16:45
John, I’ve heard it said that we can curse the darkness or light a candle. WHO is your candle?
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Mar 05, 2023 @ 16:18:21
Ideas.
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Mar 05, 2023 @ 17:42:11
LOL! I purposely didn’t ask “what.” I intentionally asked “who?” Nice try, though! 😜
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Mar 05, 2023 @ 19:46:59
Hi Majik, well I have had many candles in my life. Evelyn Rimel, Margo House, Hana Tomasek, Mother Findoca, Sister Giovanni, Carolyn Wedin, George Copa, Edward Deming, and Gary McClean. I am sure that I have missed a few along the way but these people were by far my best guiding lights. My first was Mother Findoca in the fifth grade and my last was Dr. Wedin who died two years ago. Don’t know what I would have done without these candles in my life. Do you know the Melanie song “Candles in the Rain.”
We were so close, there was no room
We bled inside each others wounds
We all had caught the same disease
And we all sang the songs of peace
Lay down, lay down, lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Lay down, lay down, lay it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
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Mar 06, 2023 @ 14:35:54
I love that you listed many of the people who were “candles” in your life, John. It’s a good remembrance that we too often forget to make when faced with the darkness all around. I also LOVE Melanie’s beautiful song that I thought sounded to me a mix of the best of human spirit and also the Holy Spirit, which upon researching the song turned out to be exactly that! That’s a great Gospel group The Edwin Hawkins Singers providing the powerful chorus for Lay Down (Candles In The Rain). They were reluctant to sing Melanie’s song my research revealed because her song didn’t explicitly mention their Lord Jesus Christ, but Melanie assured them He is there in her song, and the rest, as they say, is a musical collaborative thing of beauty! Here’s the Edwin Hawkins Singers explicitly singing about my possibly imaginary Friend! https://youtu.be/C9jAoZcvxsA
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Mar 06, 2023 @ 15:27:27
Hi, Malik, thanks. Did you get my message regarding our trip time?
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Mar 06, 2023 @ 15:46:40
Yes. I’ll email you tonight! 😎🥰❤️☘️
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Mar 06, 2023 @ 15:50:42
Great
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