Requiem for Flint

Latest

Wade in the Water
Wade in the Water, children
Wade in the Water
God’s gonna trouble the water
Mayor Dayne Walling raised
a glass of water before TV cameras
then pushed a black button to
connect the Flint River to
the water’s treatment plant
“It’s regular, good, pure drinking water
and it’s right in our backyard!
he reassured the good people of Flint
as he gulped it down
“This is the first step in the right direction
for Flint, as we take this monumental step
forward in controlling the future of our
community’s most precious resource.”
Gov’ner Snyder, the mayor and all the
civic partners patted themselves on their backs
for saving $80-$100 a day!
Wade in the water . . .
The bait-and-switch plan backfired
and the river burned like fire
on the tongues and bellies of
their mostly poor and black citizenry
There were not enough fingers to go around
when blame skipped town
It was a case of cash before caring
Wade in the water . . .
Who will save a whole generation
poisoned with lead?
Or the children lying in critical now?
Flint fades to black as the river burns like fire
as its people pray for just one drop of water
just one clean drop
to quench their dying thirst
Wade in the Water
—Genny Lim

+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Pushing People into a Really Bad System Will End Really Badly

President Trump's executive order fuses drug use and homelessness, ignoring that homelessness can cause or exacerbate substance use because people use drugs to cope with pain. Forced institutional settings rather than housing will not help the ill or unhoused.

Chicago Resistance Speaks: ‘Until All Are Free, None Are Free’

An uprising is growing as the government tries to impose a dictatorship. Chicago resistance leaders recently offered their thoughts in public remarks made at demonstrations and press conferences.

Los Angeles Continues to Rebuild and Resist

Angelinos, suffering from the profit over people economy, continue to rebuild after the fires and to protest immigration raids, while also experiencing joy in such difficult times.

Chicago Teachers Union Says: Trump, Stay Out of Our City

Chicago Teachers Union rejects any unlawful federal occupation of their city, while welcoming federal leadership that fully funds public education, restores SNAP, and expands Medicaid to healthcare for all.

Journalist Says Why ‘I Can No Longer Work With Reuters’

A photojournalist says why it is impossible for her to maintain a relationship with Reuters "given its role in justifying and enabling the systematic assassination of 245 journalists in Gaza."

More from the People's Tribune