by Julia Griffin

After Handel

“Wherever you stand on Violet Coco, her jailing raises the stakes for climate protest…
Coco… was part of a group of four protesters from the activist group Fireproof Australia
who blocked a southbound lane on the [Sydney Harbour] bridge just before 8.30am on 13 April this year.”
—The Guardian

Where’er you stand,
She’ll think of rising stakes:
Tum, knee, or hand,
I’ll bet poor Violet aches:
Tum, knee, or hand,
I’ll bet poor Violet aches.

Earth’s all awry;
The climate’s all askew;
The bane’s expanding,
But by your standing,
You’ll boost Vi’s standing too
You’ll boost Vi’s standing too
You’ll boost Vi’s STANDING TOO.

Tum, knee, or hand,
Massage for all you’re worth;
Where’er you stand,
Stand firmly with the earth:
Where’er you stand,
Stand firmly WITH THE EARTH.