Northern Arizona University Tribute

From Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West
On Sale Now for Only 99 cents!
(Link Provided at Bottom)

*Northern Arizona University*

The difference between us isn’t
Race, average body weight, socioeconomics, gender,
or even
A tanned population that’s hot…
Let me break it to you gently:

The difference is we’re Lumberjacks and you’re not.

There may not be a school with this girl ratio,
But there could,
And our guys are not the only guys alive getting wood,
It’s about who we are, though, not what we got:

The difference is we’re Lumberjacks and you’re not.

We’re not the only school with great dining and housing,
Or the only Arizona school with nightlife arousing,
You think you got it now? Give it a shot!
Still wrong.
The difference is we’re Lumberjacks and you’re not.

We’re not the only school with a Greek Week,
Or the only school with friendly strangers who speak,
But a better school? Humph, I think not…

We’re in the greatest school and you’re not.

Because we are the only school with Gabapalooza,
When you step on the lawn, no guard will refuse ya,
And we are the only school that has the Gold Axe,
The highest achievement earned by the Lumberjacks.
And who else has Taylor House—where the haunted rise?
Or homecomings starting with Tequila Sunrise?
Who else rings the New Year with the Pine Drop?
And lives every minute like their hearts about to stop?
A freshman or alum, there’s no difference, you forgot?

We are all Lumberjacks and you’re not.

Follow ClydeAidoo.com for more poems from the Art of Mind and Alma Mater series shared daily. You can purchase Clyde Aidoo’s latest release, Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West, a poetic celebration of the top universities of the West by clicking the link below.

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University of Arizona Tribute

From Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West
On Sale Now for Only 99 cents!
(Link Provided at Bottom)

*Arizona*

When the game comes to an end,
Link arms with your neighbors.
Sway side to side and sing the Alma Mater…
And partake, and also take witness
To yet another moment that makes college so great.

There’s UA stickers on young cheeks; ribbons and shirts of Red and Blue all through the stands,
And something very special that will always stand

With every Wildcat who will forever Bear Down.

***

Bear Down for What!?
Bear Down for What!?
Bear Down for What!?
UA That’s What!
UA That’s What!
UA That’s What!
U-A is What?!
The home of the Zona Zoo,
With tons of places to wreck through,
It’s Tucson, It’s the Wildcats,
In the Wildest Zoo you ever knew.

After Festivals of Books,
We study up the human body,
What’s 40,000 off the hook?
A loose-ass student body.

And you can find ’bout everybody,
At the games where the Zona Zoo gets rowdy,
We’re never spent cuz we have no cap…
And with 18 Nationals and Countin’…
We’re not puttin’ UA on the map,
We put the “A” atop the Mountain.

We’re known to talk that talk,
And then we back it up: that Wildcat Walk,
If you have a breakdown—when the Zoo calls,
That means you got served—that’s our fault.

The strong survives and we run the Pac,
Gotta run to the top—won’t be right back,
Champs hold the straps like a strong backpack,
And when it’s away, okay, we’ll be right back.

We bought into the cause and foes have already paid,
The believers here don’t drink Kool-Aid…

We just drink in Arizona.

The Zoo is selling out McKale,
And tough on teams that enter—that’s the hard sell,
We help our team excel, foes waitin’ to exhale,
They just now learnin’:
The Zona’s hot as hell.

Look who’s marchin’ through: Hey, Band!
Now they play the Bear Down anthem,
The fans won’t sit—until opponents score,
We may not like ’em, but we can stand ’em,
We yell Brick when they miss each shot,
Instead of lobbing better—they throw a tantrum.

And you call yourselves Sun Devils,
Yet you can’t touch us—nope, we’re too hot,
They retake hard lessons, we reachin’ next levels,
while
Devils blow the lead,
The Wildcats blow the spot.

Fourth Avenue, that’s the spot,
Dirtbag’s, ya’already know: that’s the spot,
Straight from the lines of 4th Ave. takin’ shots:
Nice shot, Buddy! Fuckin’ Nice shot!
Fun Dip from Buffet? What a nice shot!
And when the ‘Cats dip, it soon gets hot!
Pool Parties—they’re always hot,
Like Catnip, the Cats get wild,
And we party:
Wildcat style.
A-Stadium is wild, We haka then get wild,
And Downtown weekends:
It’s going Bear Down.

Bear Down for What?
Bear Down for Life.

We Bear Down for the Party,
We Bear Down for the Game:
Where they can’t wear Zona’s colors so Bear Witness to this name.

Follow ClydeAidoo.com for more poems from the Art of Mind and Alma Mater series shared daily. You can purchase Clyde Aidoo’s latest release, Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West, a poetic celebration of the top universities of the West by clicking the link below.

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The University of Alaska Anchorage Poem

From Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West
On Sale Now for Only 99 cents!
(Link Provided at Bottom)

*The University of Alaska Anchorage*

Forget me not, Alaska—where the Seawolves dwell,
Forget me not, Alaska—Anchorage wish me well.
Forget me not, Green trails—frontier I loved to hike,
Forget me not, Gold tales—and every autumn night.
When my story ends and my place is marked inside your plot,
Anchorage, Alaska, I’ll still forget thee not.

Follow ClydeAidoo.com for more poems from the Art of Mind and Alma Mater series shared daily. You can purchase Clyde Aidoo’s latest release, Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West, a poetic celebration of the top universities of the West by clicking the link below.

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Alaska Pacific University Tribute

From Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West
On Sale Now for Only 99 cents!
(Link Provided at Bottom)

*Alaska Pacific University*

Two words have never modeled one thing—
More than this thing which APU clings,
The words are apart, but like us they need the other,
There is a oneness found in Each Other.

In the largest state, we have found much free space,
But it is blistering without a kiss or embrace,
The words are apart, but like us they need the other,
There’s a certain warmness found in Each Other.

Like the trees of rainforest canopies,
And much like the motion—that comes from separate skis,
They may be apart, but no doubt they need the other,
Like us they form a oneness derived from Each Other.

Two words and three letters can embody many things—
None more than this thing which APU clings,
There’s a Blue oneness from Each Other none can pry
That begins at the Fountain—and sprouts up when we Dye.

Follow ClydeAidoo.com for more poems from the Art of Mind and Alma Mater series shared daily. You can purchase Clyde Aidoo’s latest release, Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West, a poetic celebration of the top universities of the West by clicking the link below.

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Alma Mater: College Poetry

On March 3, the final volume of the Alma Mater series will be released. Between now and then I will continue to share pieces from the series daily, highlighted by pieces from the most recent installment: Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West, which will now be shared publicly for the first time since its release.

Kirkus Reviews has described the series as “A thoroughly unique project” with “A variety of delightfully unexpected poetic forms.” I see it as a project that reaches out to millions. Whether college alums, current undergrads, or those who seek to learn more about the country itself or maybe just have a love for poetry. I believe this series has the makings to cross boundaries and go beyond just the genre of poetry.

This series is more than about celebrating life in each of the featured institution. It is about celebrating life itself. Each university covered is but a snapshot of the bigger picture: The capture and embrace of youth, education, beauty, love, and what indeed, what makes each geographic location and specific university special. This is not just a book for college students, and it’s not even just a book for poetry lovers, it is a book for anyone who wants to explore through the eyes of someone else. To see what they see. To live what they live, and to learn more about the human experience as undergone by others around the world.

Follow ClydeAidoo.com to read many pieces from the Alma Mater series shared daily. And you can support the series by purchasing my latest release, Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West, a poetic celebration of the top universities of the West by clicking the link below. Each volume is available for only 99 cents respectively.

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The Untold War of the Women’s March

I remember when the “Grab them by the pussy” recording was released. I told myself, “Whew. Glad that’s over with. No way he’s gonna win now.” I remember when watching the presidential debates along with millions of other viewers, and hearing Trump say on national TV that he will look to appoint a Supreme Court Justice who will help overturn Roe vs. Wade. Again. I told myself, “Whew. OK. Good. No way he’s gonna win now. Wayyyyy too many women will vote against him in addition to all the other demographics that he has no chance of winning.” I was wrong. It needs to be addressed why this assumption was wrong, and who made it wrong.

Anybody who is marching against Trump who did everything in their power to stop him, specifically at the ballot, has my utmost respect. But the fact of the matter is they are not marching against Trump. Because Trump did not put himself in office. They are marching against those who did…yes, including millions of women, including a white demographic where the majority did just that. So you’ll forgive me if I see more than a cumbaya moment, but an untold story.

I hate labels, categorizations, and generalizations. It is both unfair and inaccurate to say , “White women put Trump in office.” Every white woman is an individual the same as any other human being. Millions of white women did everything they could to stop Trump, just like women of all colors. Furthermore there are plenty of minorities who voted for Trump, even if not the majority. But even though I may be against labels, the fact is many people are not. Many people are die-hard conservatives and that comes before anything else. Furthermore, in this particular election, many people consider themselves a white citizen first, and everything else becomes secondary. The question is, what makes the white female demographic’s interests and motivation for voting this way different than the other demographics and how does that affect the feminist movement? It supports the notion that white women don’t feel as threatened by Trump as others, OR they prioritize other issues more than the issues I already listed. So while many may share my view on individuality and anti-grouping, others live by it. And more importantly, the system itself is well aware of what your label is. And by this standard, the majority of white female voters feel less threatened by the same administration than many other women (including other white women) consider a grave threat to their liberties. Those who put him into office knew full well where he stood on women’s issues and his treatment of them….but something was more important. There is a female solidarity against Trump, but it is not an all-inclusive one. The bigger battle that isn’t being recorded is the lack of female solidarity that led to this. This issue is far, far more divisive than it seems. This reality is what should be targeted above all else. In doing so, maybe he won’t be elected again. Because it isn’t Washington or Trump that is going to do something about this man having power, it is your peer that you may not feel comfortable talking to about sensitive topics.

Yesterday I observed that out of those marchers, statistically, some of them probably voted for Trump. Someone replied that “people can change their mind.” Seeming to imply that she was one of those who changed their minds. She’s right. But the time to fight against Trump where it matters is gone for the next four years. That battle has already been lost. So to those who have changed their minds and to those who have had their minds made up about Trump all along: keep marching. But make sure you also march to your phone and talk to your friend who is voting Trump and get to know what makes them tick and remind them of the issues that are at stake. Make sure you march to the comments section when you see someone is pro-Trump and create a dialogue with them, instead of avoiding conflict because its awkward. And most importantly, make sure you march to the ballot to protect the rights and liberties of your fellow citizens in 2020. Until then, it is women marching against other women whose priorities are not as similar as they are being portrayed to be. And though the entire gender may seem to be all together on these pictures spread over the internet, the facts show that they are marching in two completely different directions.

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Alma Mater: College Poetry

On March 3, the final volume of the Alma Mater series will be released. Between now and then I will continue to share pieces from the series daily, highlighted by pieces from the most recent installment: Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West, which will now be shared publicly for the first time since its release.

Kirkus Reviews has described the series as “A thoroughly unique project” with “A variety of delightfully unexpected poetic forms.” I see it as a project that reaches out to millions. Whether college alums, current undergrads, or those who seek to learn more about the country itself or maybe just have a love for poetry. I believe this series has the makings to cross boundaries and go beyond just the genre of poetry.

This series is more than about celebrating life in each of the featured institution. It is about celebrating life itself. Each university covered is but a snapshot of the bigger picture: The capture and embrace of youth, education, beauty, love, and what indeed, what makes each geographic location and specific university special. This is not just a book for college students, and it’s not even just a book for poetry lovers, it is a book for anyone who wants to explore through the eyes of someone else. To see what they see. To live what they live, and to learn more about the human experience as undergone by others around the world.

Follow ClydeAidoo.com to read many pieces from the Alma Mater series shared daily. And you can support the series by purchasing my latest release, Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West, a poetic celebration of the top universities of the West by clicking the link below. Each volume is available for only 99 cents respectively.

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Posted in Alma Mater, Uncategorized

Alma Mater: College Poetry

On March 3, the final volume of the Alma Mater series will be released. Between now and then I will continue to share pieces from the series daily, highlighted by pieces from the most recent installment: Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West, which will now be shared publicly for the first time since its release.

Kirkus Reviews has described the series as “A thoroughly unique project” with “A variety of delightfully unexpected poetic forms.” I see it as a project that reaches out to millions. Whether college alums, current undergrads, or those who seek to learn more about the country itself or maybe just have a love for poetry. I believe this series has the makings to cross boundaries and go beyond just the genre of poetry.

This series is more than about celebrating life in each of the featured institution. It is about celebrating life itself. Each university covered is but a snapshot of the bigger picture: The capture and embrace of youth, education, beauty, love, and what indeed, what makes each geographic location and specific university special. This is not just a book for college students, and it’s not even just a book for poetry lovers, it is a book for anyone who wants to explore through the eyes of someone else. To see what they see. To live what they live, and to learn more about the human experience as undergone by others around the world.

Follow ClydeAidoo.com to read many pieces from the Alma Mater series shared daily. And you can support the series by purchasing my latest release, Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West, a poetic celebration of the top universities of the West by clicking the link below. Each volume is available for only 99 cents respectively.

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Posted in Alma Mater, Uncategorized

Alma Mater: College Poetry

On March 3, the final volume of the Alma Mater series will be released. Between now and then I will continue to share pieces from the series daily, highlighted by pieces from the most recent installment: Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West, which will now be shared publicly for the first time since its release.

Kirkus Reviews has described the series as “A thoroughly unique project” with “A variety of delightfully unexpected poetic forms.” I see it as a project that reaches out to millions. Whether college alums, current undergrads, or those who seek to learn more about the country itself or maybe just have a love for poetry. I believe this series has the makings to cross boundaries and go beyond just the genre of poetry.

This series is more than about celebrating life in each of the featured institution. It is about celebrating life itself. Each university covered is but a snapshot of the bigger picture: The capture and embrace of youth, education, beauty, love, and what indeed, what makes each geographic location and specific university special. This is not just a book for college students, and it’s not even just a book for poetry lovers, it is a book for anyone who wants to explore through the eyes of someone else. To see what they see. To live what they live, and to learn more about the human experience as undergone by others around the world.

Follow ClydeAidoo.com to read many pieces from the Alma Mater series shared daily. And you can support the series by purchasing my latest release, Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West, a poetic celebration of the top universities of the West by clicking the link below. Each volume is available for only 99 cents respectively.

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University of Vermont Tribute

From Alma Mater Vol. 2: The Northeast
Available Now for only 99 cents!

AlmaMater_Northeast-Final

*UVM*

Universitas V. Montis,
Winning in nature’s long contest,
To this retreat we bring our best,
The Green Mountains.

The Catamounts Trail in Vermont,
Apple-picking along the jaunt,
In the iced glades the skiers daunt
The Green Mountains.

By the beauty of Lake Champlain,
The study setting lies again,
Where sunsets gleam as they soak in
The Green Mountains.

As syrup drips from the maples,
We drop by Church, and all staples
of the state that blazes April,
The Green Mountains.

4/20 each year: the Green fills,
Superpipe high—snowboarding skills,
Here where green rolls like the hills,
The Green Mountains.

The fests, people, and love is dank,
High volume of the loud we crank,
The winter life found is first rank,
The Green Mountains.

Catamounts barefoot in the snow,
Throwing snowballs, passing hydro,
Free People Reaching High, let’s go:
To the Mountains.

Girls clad and waving Proud Mary,
Guys in sandals; red eyes weary,
Wearing the Gap, ’til there’s nary,
The Merged Mountains.

Feel Good in Davis and throughout
A place where ev’ry Cat stands out,
Gold ambiance in parks that shouts,
The Green Mountains.

A home of Gold and Green routing,
Like the fountain of Green sprouting,
This is our favorite outing:
The Green Mountains.

Follow ClydeAidoo.com for more poems from the Art of Mind and Alma Mater series shared daily. You can purchase Clyde Aidoo’s latest release, Alma Mater Vol. 3: The West, a poetic celebration of the top universities of the West by clicking the link below.

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