Calling Out to the Ghost of Tom Joad

Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" is more relevant than ever, sadly  and alarming.
Our country is plunging into a darkness that feels much the 
same as the Dust Bowl years,

And
Oh what a load on poor Tom Joad

He knew about eco-disasters, people in the fallout, only
to be punished still more, for just trying to survive.

Born in dire poverty, barely hanging on, but then came
the black storm of dust.

"Have you had enough pain, Tom?
Better jump on the next train, but 
there's more pain in the next town."

It wasn't long until he learned, poverty's
zip code followed him everywhere he would go.

But he also knew 
something about the big collective soul...
_____

The Ghost of Tom Joad (verse 3);  Bruce Springsteen

Now Tom said, "Mom, wherever there's a cop beating a guy
Wherever a hungry newborn baby cries
Where there's a fight against the blood and hatred in the air
Look for me, Mom, I'll be there
Wherever somebody's fighting for a place to stand
Or a decent job or a helping hand
Wherever somebody's struggling to be free

Look in their eyes, Ma, and you'll see me"

_____

A high powered, haunting performance of Springsteen's
"The Ghost of Tom Joad" (with Tom Morello/ former member of Rage Against the Machine)

As for US,
let's all sit in the campfire light
and have a talk with the ghost of old Tom Joad...

May It Be...
_____

Photo - Wikimedia Commons

Song Lyrics - A to Z Lyrics