When I get depressed about what is going on in the world, I tend to write poetry and song lyrics. I've been writing a lot of poetry lately. I am attaching one I have been working on for about a week called Great Expectations. I read it to my writing group today after which there was a definite period of silence. No response either from Marvin, my MAGA friend/nemesis on my right. It came out of a memory of a poem written by Thich Nhat Hanh during the Vietnam war, which brought up thoughts of our departed colleague Larry Ward. The song came up because Linda has been after me to write singable lyrics for some of our Song Book songs. It is called For Earth--For Life. The lyrics are actually singable with the Tune Country Roads (aka All the Earth Belongs to All). But I tried to get something still singable that wasn't tied to the "good old songs" we all sang. So I just wanted to share these with those who care. It can get lonely out there sometimes. Mellow Milan Hamilton 80 North Center Street Redlands, CA 92373 Phone: (909) 943-1667 email: mellowmilan2@gmail.com
Thank you, Milan. These are good. I like the New Earth song a lot. The poem is a jarring update on poems we've known. Love, Sharon On Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 5:12 PM Nancy Lanphear via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you Milan. Your words speak to me as I experience life these days. ❤️ Nancy
On Feb 12, 2026, at 4:20 PM, Milan Hamilton via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
When I get depressed about what is going on in the world, I tend to write poetry and song lyrics. I've been writing a lot of poetry lately. I am attaching one I have been working on for about a week called Great Expectations. I read it to my writing group today after which there was a definite period of silence. No response either from Marvin, my MAGA friend/nemesis on my right. It came out of a memory of a poem written by Thich Nhat Hanh during the Vietnam war, which brought up thoughts of our departed colleague Larry Ward.
The song came up because Linda has been after me to write singable lyrics for some of our Song Book songs. It is called For Earth--For Life. The lyrics are actually singable with the Tune Country Roads (aka All the Earth Belongs to All). But I tried to get something still singable that wasn't tied to the "good old songs" we all sang. So I just wanted to share these with those who care. It can get lonely out there sometimes.
Mellow Milan Hamilton 80 North Center Street Redlands, CA 92373 Phone: (909) 943-1667 email: mellowmilan2@gmail.com <Great Expectations.docx> <For Earth.docx> <For Earth! For Life! v.2.mp3> _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
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Hi Milan, Thanks for creating and sharing. Still pondering "Great Expectations" . . . "For Earth" or "Great Expectations for Earth". Rhythms and the arts for resistance, visioning and hope--as Minneapolis and Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Half Time have shown. Just returned from a Know Your RIghts Immigration Training Session. One of the last things that the presenter said was", "Singing is key to these efforts and movements "--so keep singing and composing and writing poetry--out of the depths . . . Ellie elliestock@aol.com On Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 04:22:37 PM PST, Milan Hamilton via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: When I get depressed about what is going on in the world, I tend to write poetry and song lyrics. I've been writing a lot of poetry lately. I am attaching one I have been working on for about a week called Great Expectations. I read it to my writing group today after which there was a definite period of silence. No response either from Marvin, my MAGA friend/nemesis on my right. It came out of a memory of a poem written by Thich Nhat Hanh during the Vietnam war, which brought up thoughts of our departed colleague Larry Ward. The song came up because Linda has been after me to write singable lyrics for some of our Song Book songs. It is called For Earth--For Life. The lyrics are actually singable with the Tune Country Roads (aka All the Earth Belongs to All). But I tried to get something still singable that wasn't tied to the "good old songs" we all sang. So I just wanted to share these with those who care. It can get lonely out there sometimes. Mellow Milan Hamilton80 North Center StreetRedlands, CA 92373Phone: (909) 943-1667email: mellowmilan2@gmail.com_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Dear Milan, What artistic gifts you have been blessed with. I love your song Earth—For Life — It is reminiscent of the powerful folk music that nurtured and emboldened us as the movement in the 60s (both the civil rights and spirit movements). The singers are masterful — are you one of those voices? And the poem, Great Expectations, is powerful as a personal witness to your (and others of us) being part of and viscerally experiencing all the pain, distain, diminishment we have seen scrolling in newsreels before our eyes of late. Today I began reading the Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery, a kind of 21st century Loren Eiseley, exploring this complex, intelligent and spirited creature — and its possible consciousness. All creatures are included in your song Earth—for Life. Thank you, dear colleague. Marilyn
On Feb 12, 2026, at 7:20 PM, Milan Hamilton via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
When I get depressed about what is going on in the world, I tend to write poetry and song lyrics. I've been writing a lot of poetry lately. I am attaching one I have been working on for about a week called Great Expectations. I read it to my writing group today after which there was a definite period of silence. No response either from Marvin, my MAGA friend/nemesis on my right. It came out of a memory of a poem written by Thich Nhat Hanh during the Vietnam war, which brought up thoughts of our departed colleague Larry Ward.
The song came up because Linda has been after me to write singable lyrics for some of our Song Book songs. It is called For Earth--For Life. The lyrics are actually singable with the Tune Country Roads (aka All the Earth Belongs to All). But I tried to get something still singable that wasn't tied to the "good old songs" we all sang. So I just wanted to share these with those who care. It can get lonely out there sometimes.
Mellow Milan Hamilton 80 North Center Street Redlands, CA 92373 Phone: (909) 943-1667 email: mellowmilan2@gmail.com <mailto:mellowmilan2@gmail.com><Great Expectations.docx><For Earth.docx><For Earth! For Life! v.2.mp3>_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
Thank you for being a great poet for our times, Milan. These words bring light into the world of those who care for all. Please publish soon formally. And may you continue to walk in peace. Jud White On Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 9:23 PM Mari Crocker via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Dear Milan,
What artistic gifts you have been blessed with. I love your song* Earth—For Life* — It is reminiscent of the powerful folk music that nurtured and emboldened us as the movement in the 60s (both the civil rights and spirit movements). The singers are masterful — are you one of those voices?
And the poem, *Great Expectations, * is powerful as a personal witness to your (and others of us) being part of and viscerally experiencing all the pain, distain, diminishment we have seen scrolling in newsreels before our eyes of late.
Today I began reading *the Soul of an Octopus *by Sy Montgomery, a kind of 21st century Loren Eiseley, exploring this complex, intelligent and spirited creature — and its possible consciousness. All creatures are included in your song Earth—for Life.
Thank you, dear colleague.
Marilyn
On Feb 12, 2026, at 7:20 PM, Milan Hamilton via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
When I get depressed about what is going on in the world, I tend to write poetry and song lyrics. I've been writing a lot of poetry lately. I am attaching one I have been working on for about a week called Great Expectations. I read it to my writing group today after which there was a definite period of silence. No response either from Marvin, my MAGA friend/nemesis on my right. It came out of a memory of a poem written by Thich Nhat Hanh during the Vietnam war, which brought up thoughts of our departed colleague Larry Ward.
The song came up because Linda has been after me to write singable lyrics for some of our Song Book songs. It is called For Earth--For Life. The lyrics are actually singable with the Tune Country Roads (aka All the Earth Belongs to All). But I tried to get something still singable that wasn't tied to the "good old songs" we all sang. So I just wanted to share these with those who care. It can get lonely out there sometimes.
Mellow Milan Hamilton 80 North Center Street Redlands, CA 92373 Phone: (909) 943-1667 email: mellowmilan2@gmail.com <Great Expectations.docx><For Earth.docx><For Earth! For Life! v.2.mp3> _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
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participants (6)
-
Ellie Stock -
Judi White -
Mari Crocker -
Milan Hamilton -
Nancy Lanphear -
Sharon Fisher