– Spoken word piece performed at Black Stump 2011

I’m talking about the people who fall thru the cracks
People no one will help cos they got nothing to give back
People we live with,  work with, people we see every day,
And yet – no one lifts a finger to help because
“I’m just one person” or “It’s not my place”.

They’re out there struggling with next to no education,
Dealing with disabilities, or lacking qualifications
Getting shunted around between different organisations
Not getting the help they need cos they don’t meet the specifications
Not always looking for a handout – just a leg up,
A word of validation

Discrimination is criminal but also subliminal –
Imbedded too deeply in our reptilian brain
We toss aside the opportunity to champion equality
And fight instead for the right to have our comfort zone maintained

And for every person begging on the streets
There are 100 people going home at the end of the day
To put their feet up on furniture they haven’t even paid for yet
This nation’s got credit card debt coming out of its ears
And while we’re busy living beyond our means
Going to extremes chasing our expensive dreams
I wonder if any of us bother to stop – and reflect,
On whether we need what it is we set out to get?

It’s like an addiction, each acquisition
Gaining us new recognition in the eyes of our peers
We’re so dedicated to this self-medicated, over-stimulated,
Sexually emancipated world we created,
Where we can upgrade our homes, our cars, our jobs,
Even our spouses along with our fast food meals
Our products get replaced before the shrink wrap’s removed
We opt for genetically modified foods, synthetic experiences and fake boobs
But shy away from the “real deal”.

We live in time where bigger is better and “want” equals “need”
And we want everything “here” and “now”, immediately!
And in the face of humanity’s greed the seeds of kindness, selflessness
Start to depreciate.
But if we could figure out a way to integrate, to see ourselves
As being part of a whole, not as a stand-alone equation
Maybe more of us would make the transition, re-organise our priorities and ambitions
Make a bit of a difference to the system before it’s too late.

Are you the kind of person who can recognise a human need
And go out of your way to meet it?
Or are you the kind of person who goes around with your eyes downcast –
Ignoring people with problems and misfortunes
So that you can continue your own blissful existence unimpeded?

I’m not a revolutionary
And I’m not a politician
Just a person who believes all life is connected –
And all people were created equal –

No exceptions.