After a good while in the political wilderness ( despite a brief spell in Plaid Cymru) it seems strange to be back and an active member of Yes Merthyr, local branch of Yes Cymru( not a movement for the People's Republic of Merthyr!).
It's pro-independence and non-partisan and reminds me somewhat of the Welsh Socialist Alliance which may have failed elsewhere, but took off in Merthyr where people of various views joined in.
The different branches of Yes Cymru are bound to have their own emphasis, but so far I like the predominantly socialist republican leaning of the Merthyr one, though it could change of course.
Moreover, there's room for revolutionaries who a strictly reformist party would surely eye with suspicion as infiltrators or agent provocateurs.
Several of us are totally committed to peaceful revolution as the main means of change and a non-partisan group allows for this.
What heartens me greatly is the positive spirit of those involved.
The Committee all want to advance the cause of independence for Cymru by focusing on our possibilities as a small, neglected nation.
There are no cliched daffy dragons or racist English-haters and everybody wants to get the message across that we should not remain a poor appendage .
I've come up with six ideas which may or may not prove to be useful.....it's early days :-
* Wales has the talent........yet wastes so much of it.
* Energy of rivers , wind and waves.....let's harness all of it.
* Food enough to feed us and more.......let's share the wealth of it.
* Water precious as air......let our people benefit.
* A history of working together .......let's learn from it.
* Cymru has ideas high as mountains........let's celebrate!
We're launching the branch as part of the Merthyr Rising Festival on Saturday May 26th at Canolfan Soar, Pontmorlais, close to the tent where there will be many performances.
Singer-songwriter Jamie Bevan and also Red Poets will take part just as the latter did at the Indyfest in Cardiff last year organised by Yes Cymru.
There will be speakers and music in Welsh and English and Yes Merthyr will also have a stall in the main arena in Dic Penderyn Square ( does 'arena' sound too posh?).
If we can keep and nurture all the great abilities we possess as a community and country, there's no reason why we can't flourish.
As a revolutionary I'm not keen on the word 'independence' which suggests that any kind of Wales will suffice.
I much prefer 'national liberation' which intimates an on-going process and one which influences every level of society.
But for now it's imperative we argue the case for a better world and Cymru where money's spent on our people's dire needs not on weapons of destruction and where everyone has the opportunity to make decisions.
This is particularly pertinent at a time when vital decisions about barrages, bridges and military intervention are being taken without our consent.
It should be a Cymru where, if you have a grievance, it is not just listened to and noted but acted upon.
Why can't we create a different future?
A BRIDGE TOO FAR
This is a bridge too far
for Carlo and Wills after.
They know what's best for us :
the Union, Blue Books and the Not.
We'll need Rebecca's daughters once more,
pitchforks at the Second Severn Crossing.
Y faner goch raised above the girders ;
a new Charter of demands.
Tearing down the name itself
like Cymdeithas with road signs.
For those who've struggled yet keep a vision :
a bridge called Pont y Werin.
It's pro-independence and non-partisan and reminds me somewhat of the Welsh Socialist Alliance which may have failed elsewhere, but took off in Merthyr where people of various views joined in.
The different branches of Yes Cymru are bound to have their own emphasis, but so far I like the predominantly socialist republican leaning of the Merthyr one, though it could change of course.
Moreover, there's room for revolutionaries who a strictly reformist party would surely eye with suspicion as infiltrators or agent provocateurs.
Several of us are totally committed to peaceful revolution as the main means of change and a non-partisan group allows for this.
What heartens me greatly is the positive spirit of those involved.
The Committee all want to advance the cause of independence for Cymru by focusing on our possibilities as a small, neglected nation.
There are no cliched daffy dragons or racist English-haters and everybody wants to get the message across that we should not remain a poor appendage .
I've come up with six ideas which may or may not prove to be useful.....it's early days :-
* Wales has the talent........yet wastes so much of it.
* Energy of rivers , wind and waves.....let's harness all of it.
* Food enough to feed us and more.......let's share the wealth of it.
* Water precious as air......let our people benefit.
* A history of working together .......let's learn from it.
* Cymru has ideas high as mountains........let's celebrate!
We're launching the branch as part of the Merthyr Rising Festival on Saturday May 26th at Canolfan Soar, Pontmorlais, close to the tent where there will be many performances.
Singer-songwriter Jamie Bevan and also Red Poets will take part just as the latter did at the Indyfest in Cardiff last year organised by Yes Cymru.
There will be speakers and music in Welsh and English and Yes Merthyr will also have a stall in the main arena in Dic Penderyn Square ( does 'arena' sound too posh?).
If we can keep and nurture all the great abilities we possess as a community and country, there's no reason why we can't flourish.
As a revolutionary I'm not keen on the word 'independence' which suggests that any kind of Wales will suffice.
I much prefer 'national liberation' which intimates an on-going process and one which influences every level of society.
But for now it's imperative we argue the case for a better world and Cymru where money's spent on our people's dire needs not on weapons of destruction and where everyone has the opportunity to make decisions.
This is particularly pertinent at a time when vital decisions about barrages, bridges and military intervention are being taken without our consent.
It should be a Cymru where, if you have a grievance, it is not just listened to and noted but acted upon.
Why can't we create a different future?
A BRIDGE TOO FAR
This is a bridge too far
for Carlo and Wills after.
They know what's best for us :
the Union, Blue Books and the Not.
We'll need Rebecca's daughters once more,
pitchforks at the Second Severn Crossing.
Y faner goch raised above the girders ;
a new Charter of demands.
Tearing down the name itself
like Cymdeithas with road signs.
For those who've struggled yet keep a vision :
a bridge called Pont y Werin.
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