it’s had its share of ups and downs--
now we’re trying to get it right,
so all God’s children can live in the Light--
welcome to the Milwaukee renaissance.
Native Americans gathered wild rice here…
next thing they knew, Germans were brewing beer--
wave after wave of immigrants arrived,
made ourselves at home, worked hard, and thrived--
welcome to the Milwaukee renaissance.
Breweries and tanneries provided good pay…
foundries and factories had their day--
now they’ve just about all faded away,
and we’re brainstorming what will take their place--
welcome to the Milwaukee renaissance.
We’ve got big problems, that’s for sure…
failing schools, high unemployment: there’s no easy cure--
how do we transform a Rust Belt economy
into one grounded in sustainability?
We’ve got good examples all around…
Growing Power teaches us how to farm in town--
and the splendid Urban Ecology Center
inspires activists, students and mentors--
welcome to the Milwaukee renaissance.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe in a ‘renaissance,’
but I don’t speak with nonchalance…
we all have a great opportunity
to contribute to the Greening of our community--
welcome to the Milwaukee renaissance.
May the renaissance growing in Milwaukee
spread in all directions, creatively--
yes, may good things keep on happening…
may the renaissance keep on blossoming--
welcome to the Milwaukee renaissance.
Take an online tour, see what’s going on:
milwaukeerenaissance.com--
welcome to the Milwaukee renaissance…
www.milwaukeerenaissance.com--
welcome to the Milwaukee renaissance
—Harvey Taylor