FOR CONSTITUTION DAY IN HONOR OF JULY 17, 1787

The Bill of Rights in a Nutshell

Joan D. Levin 

Just take to heart what’s written here,

And I will bet a dollar,

That you can be the same as me:

A near-Constitutional scholar!

The First Amendment guards our rights,

To gather, speak and pray.

The Second lets us fire off shots,

And helps the NRA.

The Third Amendment keeps our houses,

Free of sleeping troops.

The Fourth protects our privacy,

From governmental snoops.

The Fifth Amendment guarantees,

Some values tried and true: 

Life, liberty and property,

Secured by process due.

It also makes it very clear,

That no one else can take,

Confessions pouring from our mouths,

That we don’t want to make.

In crimes, the Sixth requires the State,

To show its grounds for trial,

By means of an indictment,

For admission or denial,

And promptly prove your lawlessness,

To jury peers, and then,

Once the trial is over, they

Can’t have at you again!

And you may cross-examine

All the folks who wish you ill,

And bring supporters for your side

(Regardless of their will.)

And best of all, a lawyer comes

To polish up your star.

The government may pay, how nice,

For this supports the bar!

The Seventh calls for civil juries,

The Eighth says “Have a heart!” 

"Keep untried poor folk out of jail," 

And “Torture isn’t smart!” 

Nine protects remaining rights,

That are not listed here.

And Ten says states may legislate,

Where this pact isn’t clear.

So now you have the Bill of Rights,

In brash and breathless rhyme.

Now aren’t you glad I wasn’t with

The Framers at that time?! 

(c) Joan D. Levin, 2017

Written in observance of U. S. Constitution Day commemorating the adoption of the U. S. Constitution, September 17, 1787.
See: https://www.constitutionday.com

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FOR ARIANE AND ROB AT RAW THANKSGIVING 2019

Green Gratitude is our annual Raw Thanksgiving -- 
This year it was held on November 9 at a community center in Evanston.  As they do each year, Ariane and her husband Rob make it such a wonderful event!  
We sang this for them this year as we did in 2017!

Thanksgiving Tribute to Ariane – 

Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic  

Sing chorus after each verse. 

Audience joins on WE THANK YOU.

We are gathered for GREEN GRATITUDE.

And having lots of fun, 

We’ve dined on dishes raw and vegan, 

Each and every one!

But we’ve one more thing to do, 

And now let’s do it, everyone!

Let’s say THANK YOU Ariane!

For all we’ve learned from you we thank you!

For all you’ve organized we thank you!

For this and so much more we thank you,

We THANK YOU Ariane!

You know she planned this evening, 

Found the space and did promotion, 

She lined up food and volunteers, 

With minimal commotion!

But you’ve only seen the surface, 

All the rest would fill an ocean!

Let’s say THANK YOU Ariane!

For all we’ve learned from you we thank you

For all you’ve organized we thank you

For this and so much more we thank you,

We thank you Ariane

In the summer in the parks, 

And on this dark November eve, 

She has built a strong community, 

That’s happy to receive, 

So many gifts of health and wellness, 

We can scarce believe, 

Let’s say THANK YOU Ariane!

For all we’ve learned from you we thank you

For all you’ve organized we thank you

For this and so much more we thank you,

We thank you Ariane

She can fight against an industry,

That spews out GMO,

She can get the people marching,

She can make a protest grow!

And when Monsanto says “Oh STOP,” 

She quickly answers "GO!"

Let’s say THANK YOU Ariane!

For all we’ve learned from you we thank you

For all you’ve organized we thank you

For this and so much more we thank you,

We thank you Ariane

This evening has been perfect,

A ThanksLIVING dream come true,

And we want to thank another one who brought it all to you!

Rob, you’ve proved that one and one can be.

A whole lot more than two!

Thank you ROB AND ARIANE!

Rob and Ariane we thank you,

Rob and Ariane we thank you,

Rob and Ariane we thank you,

Thank you Rob and Ariane!

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