Lyrical Revolution

"Every revolution was first a thought in one man's mind; and when the same thought occurs to another man, it is key to that era." (Ralph Waldo Emerson-1841)

Our beginnings as a nation are becoming more like the sounds of a myth, rather than the paying homage of past accomplishments. Generations now emerge, relying not upon what was created, but surfaces beyond the soils of time, spreading innovative wings as if none had ever flew before them. Respect slightly shown, gratitude never paid, nor knowledge understood, thinkers within their own rite, but under-achievers nevertheless.

We has a nation are the collective force of past ideologies of men that were debated from the pulpits of politicians, scientist, and philosophical leaders of old; yet with all their endeavors, revolutions have not ceased to grow. Political systems from Communism, Dictatorship, and Monarchies to old to recall, but no matter the belief, a cause was always worth fighting and dying for. Thus, we now sit at what will be the most influential cause of them all, a Lyrical Revolution!

The definition of a Revolution implies a "turn around, a fundamental change of power or organizational structure, that takes place in a short period of time" Aristotle described two types of a political revolutions: (1)- The complete change from one constitution to another, and (2)- Modification of any existing constitution. Revolutions occur through various ideologies that affect and motivate diverse mindsets which in turn alter economies, societies, and political systems. Our history has debated these facts and issues, and even through the times ahead, I am sure that more debates will evolve.

However, the one revolution that has been the biggest turn around for all and any generation and which has remained clearly consistent, has been the Arts. Whether it is was the bongos of Africa, the sound of Aztec Indians chanting and dancing before the stars, collective diverse expressions have never died, but merely turned over in time from generation to the next; yet it has been poetry that has always lead the way.

It is this subtle smell of poetic words of verse that predates even literacy, ranging back as far as the Gilgamesh Epic in Akkadian 2 B.C. Ancient works such has the Vedas (1700-1200 BC), to the Odyssey (800-675 BC), composed in poetic form whether through memorization and oral transmissions(Wikipedia). Wladyslaw Tarartiewicz wrote a paper on "The Concept of Poetry", which suggest that poetry traces the very evolution of poetry into two concepts, Tarartiewicz points out that the term is applied to two distinct things, an art based upon language, and poetry expresses a certain state of mind; whether expert or novice, both can be agreed upon.

If we investigate both concepts, we can clearly see and assume that there is truth that lies within. Poetry being first describe an art of language can't be denied; since it is oftentimes within our own cultures of language that this begins. However, when we look at poetry as the expression of a certain state of mind, becomes a little harder to prove, since no one can truly evaluate the individual mind alone. Nevertheless, the mere effect or result of one's mind, can be determined by what the mouth expresses, making it easier to not only relate to the theory above but also prove it. Generations past become the evidence of this truth, and no matter the social expressions of poetic language, it is seen, enjoyed, and loved throughout, thus, creating a revolution within its own right.

Many of us today have come through the various schooling's where we studied, learned and read the writings and works of: Robert Frost, Emily Dickerson, W.E Dubois, Langston Hughes, Phylis Wheatly, and so many more. Our lives forever changed, as we recited their words, only to come to understand their struggles, and left forever changed. However, what began and pre-dated the BC era, hasn't died, but lives on in all generation that have passed and that shall emerge.

From a personal standpoint, I can recall standing before crowds of men, whether small nor great, and monologue poetic pieces of old, only to watch their faces transform as if I'd taken them on some prehistoric journey, and then returning them back to the reality that they were so accustom too. Upon leaving the stages, heard the cheers, claps of encores, but fully didn't understand the plight of how these words of old could make such a difference in our era. Then I could hear the term "Hebrew Poetry" echoing in my head. As I went home to study this, it became so much more apparent to me, the worth and value of lyrics and words of men. Hebrew Poetry by definition implies, "Lyrics or Poetry is not the rhyming of beats and sounds, but rather rhyming of thoughts and ideas." Thus, in me the revolution in me had begun!

Since that time, I have traveled, studied, and listened to the diverse sounds of expressions; whether these expressions come from the rap artist on the street corners of the inner city's, the sound tracks download from mp3 websites, the cafes that are created everyday with young poets expressing their hearts, the collective ballads of poetic artist constructing their love to song and verse, the slam poets who've learned how to use time and alliterations combined, only to be scored in competitions of their peers. You see, there is a Lyrical Revolution that is being birthed!

Who is to say that this is a valid Revolution? Let us first re-look at the small surface of history presented thus far, not even touching the heart of the matter. Let us ask the millions of studios that have increased in revenue, let us as ask the music industry that now has been forced to change the diverse genres, let us ask the states and cities who have been forced build buildings just to house the demand these cafe settings in all cultural communities. Let us examine the income surge in middle class society, where these are now becoming no longer hobbies, but true business endeavors. Let ask the CPA's who compute the taxes of these new entities each year. Let us then return to the mere definition that we quoted in beginning this article; "Every revolution was first a thought in one man's mind, and when the same thought occurs to another man, it is key to that era." So now let us ask you this, "Are these not the expressions that are growing in your communities? Are these not in your language of understanding and even of the same mindsets? Can you see not the Lyrical Revolution that is before you?