One More Time for Lu
A warning about weather blared
“Emergency Flood Watch”
as the rain pitter-pattered
everywhere, filler
of spaces in the earth
But a different warning came
On June 18, 2010,
When four protestors blocked
The gate of Honeywell
Declaring for the first time
An “Emergency Nuke Watch”
Because the plant produced more than
Triggers for nuclear weapons
Because toxic elements harmed workers
Disrupted breathing, bequeathed cancer,
2000 toxins in a list rolled out
On a scroll by Lu Mountenay.
Now we meet in 2019 at the new plant
The National Security Campus
Knowing that persistent wars
Are caused by too much money
Driving weapon contractors
To overlook the warnings
About annihilation.
The 2010 Feisty Four,
The Lu’s of local fame,
The global concern for a nuke-free earth
The supporting community here today
Are here for the cause of peace
Aware that we live
In a world broken, hard-hearted,
And still dare to mix sadness and hope
Worthy of a Memorial Day.
By Ron Faust, 5/27/19—The annual Memorial Day protest by PeaceWorks in Kansas City, Mo., draws attention to the nuclear weapons plant and calls for building a climate of peace instead of destruction. The 2010 Feisty Four has reference to Jane, Ron, Frank, and Steven (p. 29, A Room Full of Shadows). We also remember PeaceWorks-KC Board Member Lu Mountenay, who intended to protest this year for her fifth time, but died of cancer on Easter.
