democracyroad

democracyroad

By John CaseSociety & Culture
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democracyroad episodes

  • The Black Swan
    Enlighten Radio Presents

     

    Dark -- But Untwisted

     

     

    Poems to the "black swan" -- associated with magical rarity, or fantasy contexts, except in Australia whence they originate. Jeanine Leane, Bridget Pegeen Kelly, Katharyn Howd Machan, more
    Wednesdays 10 AM
    Hosts: Janet Harrison, John Case
    This Episode Recorded May 18, 2026

    Odile, The Black Swan

    by Una Mcdonnell


    Impossible to look at her without thinking dark water, depths
    where light doesn't reach. In the diner on Dalhousie,
    her presence commands the booth, though only the decrepit
    at the counter sees the water rising, water-
    line gurgling just beneath her chin. Flutter
    of a dark wing that briefly stretches. Sally, a regular, orders
    coffee between johns, eggs at 4 a.m. They arrive, sunny side
    silicon perfect. Minivans line up to glean sorrow
    from her eyes. If only I could dance, says Sally. When the sky
    turns pink, she'll sleep. Odile once had an act involving lit black
    candles and a snake. Smoke she could conjure on demand.
    Rose on stage, an angel from the black lake.
    They all desired her, but one. Before Champagne Rooms,
    loose laws, when looking was enough
    She holds her mug as if it could contain her.
    The transistor radio tin-tin-tins demented heart songs
    tie a yellow ribbon -- and getting caught
    in the rain --¦ and I'll never have that recipe again --
    Pale-skinned fries rise like broken limbs from plates, tendrils of vinegar
    seep down. The scent is grease, acid, hot breath and chrome.
    There are no new ways to be alone. There are no new ways to mourn.

     

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    50 min
  • Spring Training and the ”Thucydudes Trap”
    Enlighten Radio Presents
    Will it be "Baseball", a fair game, or War

     

    Stand Still, if you can.

     

     

     

    Broadcast Thrsdays 11 AM, player.enlightenradio.org
    Hosts: John Case, James Boyd, Mike Cuccherini
    Mike updates the Spring Trainin Explosioins. Mean while, we await the likelihood of world war from the dice roll of the "Thucydides Trap"
    This Episode Recorded may 14 at the Red Caboose Studio, Harpers Ferry, WV

     

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    41 min
  • The Poetry Show: Rivers
    Enlighten Radio Presents

     

    Speakingof Rivers

     

     

    Soulful flow of rivers: Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson, Oliver Tearl, Pablo Neruda, KLathleen Raine, Don Domanski, Rabindranath Tagore
    Broadcast Wednesdays, 10 AM on player.enlightenradio.org
    Hosts: Janet Harrison, John Case
    This Episode Recorded may 6, 2026

    The Negro speaks of Rivers

    by Langston Hughes


    I've known rivers:
    I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.
    My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
    I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
    I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
    I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
    I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.
    I've known rivers:
    Ancient, dusky rivers.
    My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

     

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    35 min

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