Sing A Song

Latest

thinking of Jack Micheline
early morning
sun in the sky
big yellow bird
pulls up to the front walk
and the doors open
and a song
falls down the stairs
with kids wearing smiles
out onto the sidewalk
and I ask the bus driver
why she sings songs
with the kids
she brings to school
every day
and home every night
and she said to me
if they’re singing songs
they’re not fighting
they’re not fighting
and I sat down
on a bench
with those words
in my head
and I thought
to myself
sitting in the sun
why can’t rich old men
sing songs together
rich old men financing
all these wars
should sing songs together
and all the soldiers
all over the world
should sing songs together
as their bones are bleached
by the sun
out in the battlefields
and all the politicians
in all the countries
under the stars
can get together
and sing songs
they can all sing the same song
a song about the children
a song about the homeless
a song about the hungry
a song about the soldier
whose bones
are being bleached
by the sun
in the battlefields
~Jake St. John
9/19/12

+ Articles by this author

The People’s Tribune opens its pages to voices of the movement for change. Our articles are written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Articles entitled “From the Editors” reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: peoplestribune.orgPlease donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement for change. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff. The People’s Tribune is a 501C4 organization.

Featured

Americans Have No Constitutional Right to Clean Drinking Water Ruled Appellate Court

Americans do not have the constitutional right to clean drinking water, ruled the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, following a lawsuit alleging the negligence of the City of Jackson resulted in children having lead poisoning.

Musk Builds Polluting Data Centers in Poorest Black Communities

Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson asks, “Why aren’t we making polluters pay for being in Memphis and Shelby County?”

Labor Day Thoughts

On this Labor Day, 2026, workers all over the country continue the fight for unions and labor rights for all. Videos in this article illustrate some of the battles that have been won and those that continue to be fought out today.

Black Pregnant Congresswoman Could Face Prison for Challenging ICE

As a result of a chaotic scene that occurred when federal agents attempted to keep the official delegation from entering the Delaney Detention Center to inspect it, Congresswoman McIver, who is pregnant, faces 17 years in prison if convicted of the assault charges the U.S. government has issued against her.

Dolly Parton: More Than a Legend

Dolly Parton never had to stop being Appalachian to become an international icon, or pretend poverty didn't shape her, or that the mountains were something she had escaped. She simply took what she learned there and carried it farther.

More from the People's Tribune