While I’m waiting for the Revolution,
I’m going to wash clothes,
Turn soil in a vegetable garden,
Cook meals, read books, and sleep.
While I'm waiting for the Revolution,
I’ll clean the toilet, take out
The garbage, cook meals, read books,
Eat, and sleep.
While we’re waiting for the Revolution,
We’ll go to work to earn our pay,
Listen to what people say, and wonder
Whether, when the Revolution comes,
It will make things better, worse, or
The same. I’m not here to buy or sell
Or blame. I’m just saying revolutions rarely
Turn out well because power plus weapons
Make for hell. The revolution isn’t up to
Me. I could tell myself otherwise,
And tell other self-deluding lies.
I get enough of that already. I know
Some people who need clothes and food.
I take them some, so very little, nearly nothing,
Once a week. I’m weak, I’m small, I’m one
Among us all. While I’m waiting, also
Dreading, the Revolution, I’ll do what I’ve
Done ever since idealism got away from
Me. Tasks in front of me. I wish I could do
More, but wishing doesn’t get
The dishes done. I hope you still have
Your idealism. There’s nothing like it.
It opens big spaces in the mind
And in the future. It’s a kind of
Revolution in itself. Even as you
Work and read and sleep and fall
In love, it fires up your spirit
And opens up your hope. Your hope.
