We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Give the Hurricanes a Number

from The Mechanism by Mitch Goldwater

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    A six song EP (with a brief bit of spoken word), in a beautiful two slot, plastic-free case. Comes with a one page lyric sheet.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Mechanism via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $6 USD or more 

     

about

This song was written to honor Alan Shenu, Valeria Ramirez, and the--too many--others.

lyrics

Give the Hurricanes a Number


The sea delivers, most everyday,
a bounty in our nets.
The sky provides its sunny days
to lighten small regrets.

Give the hurricanes a number.

But with a gentle gust, another busted
body washes up.
A baby—blue, tempest tossed—
the sea entrusts to us.

Give the hurricanes a number.
Give every child a name.

Yesterday, a bloated boy,
his lips against the sand,
a planted kiss that will not rise
and ripen to a man.

Give the hurricanes a number.
Give that child a name.
Give the hurricanes a number.
Give every child a name.
Give every child—

Got no kingdom,
no phylum—no fly away home
no species,
no space in
the garden row to root,
another strange and unripe fruit.

This one
from Syria.
And she’s from
Colombia.
This one dead on Turkish sand.
The other lies caged on Texas land.

This one drowned in the Rio Grande.
And another one’s caged on Texas land.

Why waste a name
on restless winds
spinning in their sky,
but tally figures
like blinkered bankers
when distant kin here lie?

Give the hurricanes a number.
Give every child a name.

From drought or flood,
from war or drugs,
from tyrant kings,
or what hatred brings.
If they brave the deserts or swim by shore,
We can lift a lamp at the golden door.

And give the hurricanes number.

credits

from The Mechanism, track released February 9, 2022

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Mitch Goldwater image

Mitch Goldwater

Mitch Goldwater started stirring syllables and song together as a tot, after he sat agog listening to John Lennon's words "flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup." Mitch went on to study and teach poetry writing (unlike Lennon, who, thankfully, did not). Nowadays he mostly crouches between song & poetry trying to fit the one into the other, right where he thinks they belong. ... more

contact / help

Contact Mitch Goldwater

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

If you like Mitch Goldwater, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now