Rolling Through Intersections

Revival 4 Survival

Revival for Survival

What about an old fashioned revival?
Will it last longer than an hour?
Will they buzz about the performance
On their way to SUVs, seats heated, ac cooled?

Instead, do we race down the highway
Fast as we can like kids, break a hundred
Fear the red and blue breathin’ down
And pull into the old gas station, same owner?

But, for how long, live like we’re living
Without denying true desire as destiny
What we were taught to dream in rhyme,
Learned to clap in pews, sing like thunder?

Harmony hides, unshared in good hearts.
What good are they if we don’t celebrate?
Lay that gospel down, sweat and unbutton
But never quit, because if we do, we forget.

Something more disturbing out there
Breaking up the old team, the breed of new —
Challenges to know what’s real and untrue
Until I reach out, touch those hearts blue.

We got fire burning inside, but hearts cool,
Always better things to do. Don’t laugh, play
As another day in the recliner melts this soul
In worn, green fiber, a lap pet treated better.

I walk out at night, stare at silhouettes, remember
Where excitement began in the limited known,
Because dawn would come and all would reveal.
But liars and cheats redirect us from our woods.

I can’t meet the creek, slosh and stir the soft,
As I thirst again but still can’t get the feeling.
I’ve walked the old country road, rocks fly
From booted gravel, meaningful memory lost.

Alone. We don’t all pile in station wagons anymore.
Dog has head out the window, anticipating.
What’s there to look forward to, but old songs?
I sing solo, vibrate this voice perfecting…messages.

Be ready to receive one wiser, tearing Babylon down.

So, what about that old fashioned revival?
We’ll make it last longer than just an hour,
Sing all the old songs, stir their love again, and
Maybe, memorable enough for one night?

…And we can go home tired.


42 lines, free verse
7.24.25
8.12.25 edit
Initially writ during four consecutive Freya Ridings songs, on this old tablet.

NOTE TO MYSELF: you entered this in a contest. Long poetry, remember if you don’t g on ADHD spree and do something.