Up Rising

Part of being an artist is breaking rules. Especially your own.
Even if it’s a good one.

One of my writing rules is to always introduce a poem with a short story that gives it context. After nine weeks of listening for what story to share with this poem, I realized the time has come to break a rule.

We are living the story that introduces this poem. So friends, all there is to say is:

Let’s do this,
Kai

P.S. This recording is from my live performance of this poem at Dreaming Our Ancient Future 2025.

P.S.S. To view or share the poem-only version (minus intro) on YouTube, click here.

Up Rising

Love is patient, love is kind.
Love is also fierce 
and fucking furious.

Most days grief pulls me to the earth. 
Its heavy weight also a relief 
now that anger rises so often 
I can get dizzy.

So I weed the garden.
Walk in the woods.
Light a candle.

Write another poem.
Take a bath.
Call friends.

We hear each other out
and cheer each other on.
And we wonder together
what is ours to do
in the face of devastation,
loss, and madness.

Meanwhile, we are doing it.

Our rest is resistance.
Our art is disruption.
Our mutual aid is power.

Our dance is reclamation.
Our survival is rebellion.
Our kindness is revolution.

In a world of systems constructed of harm
wholeness looks impossible.
But here’s the thing about hierarchy:

Every time we choose our humanity 
we un-choose the machine.

Every time we choose our humanity 
we un-choose the machine.

These days we’re in are new
but the momentum here is not.
We that are white have much to learn
from the wise ones who are 
more practiced in justice
and the art of keeping soul alive.

May we be humble enough 
to join the party 
with beginners mind.

It is time.

—Kai Madrone

January 29, 2025