Dreamers on the rise…The Last Campaign!

There is a song (in fact, it’s the title) on the album The Last Campaign by John Stewart that weirdly enough has struck a chord with me. It refers to Bobby Kennedy’s ill-fated run for the USA Presidency in 1968. I was very active politically in those days and I remember the moment. But the song, heard now, says even more, especially given the political landscapes we are living in —

Again though I am willing to posit that the song goes even further and speaks to the fundamental aspects of relationship(s): we were tired, we were hungry, we were living the dream… truly as the sun…it was the last campaign! And it hit me this morning on a re-tuned Stationary Bike that as he sings there ain’t no wild horses out on Wild Horse Road that in the midst of the current political and social conversations, it is the last campaign.

Not sure that we are truly leaderless or without hopeful intentions – if we shoot all the brave horses, but how will we ride? I’m no longer certain that the unfolding world has any sense of the ethereal, of the grand gestures let alone grand visions, of beyond the horizon. I may be alone in my perspective but I am convinced after the last six months LOVE is really all that matters in the moment. We do not have brave horses anymore AND we can’t go back to Kansas – so to coin the words of many a character, including Chief Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band, suck it up! Not much consolation, but perhaps a smidgen of consolation is all we get for our frenetic search for levelling the plains instead of training more to climb mountains.

I’ve climbed many, journeys have at times been tough – but in the late afternoon of life, I only want to keep climbing – a better view is bound to appear! And just maybe, that view will include a brand new campaign – one with at least a touch of idealism, some serious grand gestures & visions, and a few real & vigorous brave horses. Until then, I guess all I can do is celebrate love and on Monday, vote!

Still looking for a nation…

g.w.