Wednesday, August 7, 2013

COMMUNITY

Our feet have covered every inch of this town
During times that were up and times that were down
When fires were raging we put out the flames
When the streets were flooded we cleared the way
Like the cells of a body we were unified
Every difference was quickly set aside
No longer divided by diversity
Finding common ground as a community
As prodigal children coming in from the cold
We have seen that together we each become whole
No longer imprisoned by being alone
With survival and love to bring us back home
Let us roll up our sleeves, there’s work to be done
We are equally human with a place in the sun
Sharing the joy and responsibility
That go hand in hand in a community

© B.T. Brunelle








COMMUNITY RADIO

A hand turns the radio dial with the precision of a pilot
aiming to make a smooth and strategic landing.
While eagle eyes are glued to the frequency numbers
of their destination, eager fingers slip and miss their mark,
swerving into the cacophonous air space of commercial broadcasting.
Bombarded by canned music, subliminal advertising and
slanted news stories, the flight is about to meet its end, when it is
saved by a sudden flick of the wrist that lifts its wings and sends it
soaring up and over to the next station. With the turbulence over,
there is an immediate change in the atmosphere. A once plummeting
plane is now spiraling upward to form figure eights, spinning, gliding
and skywriting the words Thank You for the listener friendly
sounds that are being transmitted. Floating on Cloud 9, feeling the
freedom of expression beneath its wings,
it puts on an air show of appreciation before slowly wafting its way down
to make a perfect landing. As its wheels touch the ground and
absorb the pulse of the planet, the new arrival races down the
runway to join people from all walks of life
and all parts of the world who are connected by Community Radio.
They know how uplifting it is to fly the friendly skies
of mind, body, spirit and emotions.
Passengers arriving at the terminal are welcomed by a dedicated staff
whose members work together as a team to broadcast this labor of love.
A brand new set of luggage is handed to anyone
wanting to leave their excess baggage behind.
Each suitcase that opens contains something of interest for everyone,
complete with panoramic windows and spacious room for every view.
It’s a valuable valise that the daily traveler can carry and share
at home with friends and family, in the carpool or rapid transit
and then to school, the workspace and all the popular gathering places.
Turn on and tune into public media that is of the people, by the people
and for the people. A thirst for knowledge is quenched by gypsy scholars,
freelance reporters and experts
in every field imaginable, who refill silver chalices and commemorative coffee cups.
These are people committed to serving individual, societal and environmental well being
in the worldwide web of life. At one’s fingertips there is instant access to a
wealth of information, inspiration, education and entertainment.
Enter the open-minded portals to the present, past and future, where the listener is
transformed from spectator to active participant, going on location with seasoned
news commentators, music disc jockeys, talk show hosts and engaging guests.
You don’t have to be rich to fly with Community Airlines.
Its supporters help to keep it airborne through their valuable contributions of time,
money, energy and enthusiasm; in return they receive up to the minute coverage of local,
national and global news stories and cultural events, along with topics to suit every taste
and temperament. Here is where conscientious journalism is still alive and well,
 and the arts and sciences cover all the continents from ancient to modern times.
In this listener’s opinion, to support Community Radio is to support radio with a soul.

© B.T. Brunelle