The Light They Shined
Whatever is on your plate, urgent
at the grinding stone, our constitution
is homeless and the prayer wheels are
spinning. How do we live into what brings
us alive at the wet edge of this awareness?
Martin spoke, Gandhi fasted, Mandela,
holding on in prison, kept a faith and
lasted. Violetta collected songs. Delores
was mostly silent. The light they shined
is now ours to give, to turn out the vulgar
grift. The justices have all been sworn in
and know their agreement, so many of us
are asking, “How can we bring the faith,
a faith we have come to trust: Only love
can hold the angry rush that flows in
fear and hate.” We will rise from this.
The light is ours to give, return a hope
unbound. Together, we will all say no,
withhold consent, lay down our mercenary
masks, and simply refuse to pay their taxes.
As we claim and light a treasured commons,
the law alone will call forgiveness
for only justice can lift this dream of living.