I wanted to write a blog post for my friends and colleagues who are fighting to stop gas infrastructure projects across the country. It is an uphill battle with no end in sight. This week was a particularly difficult as we witnessed many maple trees destroyed for a pipeline project in PA and NY. US Marshals armed with assault weapons kept protestors from stopping the tree clearing. The gas company named this one the Constitution pipeline of all things. There is nothing constitutional about the way this gas company claimed eminent domain for corporate gain, destroying a maple syrup farm in the process.

Activists painted U.S. flags on some of the doomed maple trees at the Holleran farm in northeastern Pennsylvania. Photo by Angela Vogel

Speaking of the Constitution, I wonder what Alexander Hamilton would have to say if he were alive today. 

Fortunately he has a protege

Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the smash hit broadway play.

Follow him on Twitter: @Lin_Manuel

Hamilton: The show about the ten dollar founding father.

This writer, composer, lyricist and Actor

is a source of good vibes,

a positive factor.

His posts on Facebook and Twitter are uplifting for many who have seen his play.

And for those like me, who enter the Hamilton lottery every day.

I grab a daily dose of Lin-Manuel Miranda 

To offset the negative mainstream media propaganda

In trying times such as these, it is essential to seek out sources of  positive vibration, for mental and physical health.

And to avoid having to take medication!

I’m not a poet.

Far from it.

But since I’ve been listening to the soundtrack of Hamilton all the time,

I find myself writing in rhyme.

So here goes! My poem for today.

THINK ABOUT YOUR WORDS

Your body listens to every word you say.

Words have energy

Make sure your words are OK

While I realize there is much out there to cause despair

Monstrous methane leaks in the air.

Dangerous pipelines, compressor stations, crumbling old nuke plants

Catastrophic projects that we are trying to take out of existence.

Its not easy to build a movement of resistance.

Rogue agencies like FERC

FERC= a rogue agency run by gas industry insiders

That work

In cahoots with the gas guys

Not the good guys

Billionaire bigots running for the highest office in the land

Who have short pathetic fingers on each hand.

I won’t say his name, I won’t feed that flame.

What kind of crazy world are we living in?

What can we do to make a positive spin?

Extreme self care is what we need

We must try not to feed

The fears.

Find a way to laugh every day.

It will keep the toxic vibes away.

Late night TV

Like Samantha Bee

Or Stephen Colbert

Will clear the air.

John Oliver, who turned Trump into Drumpf 

Made us smile and chuckle harrumph!

Make sure your words are clear

Make sure they are the ones your body needs to hear.

Here’s the trick

Don’t say things like “this makes me sick”

Instead focus on the world you want to create.

One that is safer, healthier and with less hate

Turn those words around

Don’t let the bozos get you down.

Don’t feed the demons!

Don’t give them air

You’ll have less despair.

Transform your despair into determination

And we will heal this ailing nation.