Today, a second Black History Month poem is shared acknowledging faith as a grain of mustard seed, American democracy, and some of the special, present-day work of former civil rights leader, Congressman John Lewis of Georgia. I was very impressed by a news broadcast that included the congressman responding to questions from elementary and high school aged children, their parents, and teachers. Congressman Lewis explained to one student that when he first met Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the famous leader for social justice asked Lewis whether he was “the boy from Troy?” [Troy, Alabama], and that was how Lewis at first would be known (see John Lewis Teaches Md. Students About Civil Rights Movement, by Meagan Fitzgerald News 4 @ https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Rep-John-Lewis-Teaches-Md-Students-About-Civil-Rights_Washington-DC-473990323.html).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. (Zechariah 4: 5-7, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Black History -- Johannesburg Gold (02/05/2018); Secular History, Sacred Revelation? (01/11/2018); George Washington Owned Slaves (08/17/2017); Righteousness Exalts A Nation (07/04/2017); Fulfillment of His Dream? (04/05/2017); Can Christians Be Racists? (07/25/2016); Cultural, Political, Spiritual Growth? (07/10/2016)
BLOODY
SUNDAY
A Poem Acknowledging the courage of Congressman John Lewis and the Young People of America Willing to Recall The Civil Rights March, Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, (03/07/1965) - Black History Month, February 13, 2018.
The Congressman was called to work, today
Among the young to point the path and way
A span to reach tomorrow that would arch
From yesterday that taught the bloody march.
The elder sat with sprouts and budding youths
Who showed a hunger for the lasting truths
To let them tap his courage once again
With wisdom words and answers that were plain.
Too often, we leave needed things unsaid
Because we fear to have them in our head,
Our heart, deep wounds that only close
When truth is shared and everybody knows.
Black students understood for things to change
The promise of America can’t be strange
Or foreign to those born, raised in this land.
For power of the vote, they took a stand.
On U.S. Highway 80 was the site
Where lawless pride created darkest night
With death and oppression threatening to destroy
The hope for freedom in the Boy From Troy.
S.N.C.C. rallied those who dared to walk in peace
So being without voting rights would cease.
After years of work, the time had come to go
But brutal police power told them, NO!
To register to vote at freedom’s call
Should never be a cause for one to fall
To fail in fear, or die, or run and scatter
As though it is not true that Black lives matter.
Corruption, hatred, rot, should not prevail
Even where it means you go to jail
The justice of the cause can make men strong
To be steadfast, and work to right the wrong.
When children look into the past to learn
Their lessons must surpass “burn, baby, burn.”
We fashioned then a voice to crack the silence,
Insured their home through patience and nonviolence.
The future leaders for our land have shared
With one who held the line that day, and dared.
They too will live the dream in victory
Casting the single vote to keep all free.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment