footsteps of a king

we humans can change the world
with the force
of our own moral rightness

we can be at peace––
we can be peace

we have a lesson to teach––
for all humanity

what do we want?
what we were promised––

respect & equality
for all

not tolerance
but brotherhood
& love & trust
holding us up
together

is this only for
idealists?

ideas are what we see
with our minds––
the essence of hope
for the future––

it is for us to invest
in 400 years of sacrifice
as God invested sacredness
in every human soul

if we need to get things right
we need to do things right

nonviolence was a law
for martin luther king––

a life’s commitment
to moral discipline &
courage

we are marching
with his blood

we are marching
so our children can breathe
free & without
worry or humiliation

march with a big heart
express your grief

demonstrate what an
infinite soul you have
how you can dance
how you can think

show the world
how you want things
to be

we must never provide
ammunition for the enemies
of freedom––

screaming
burning
looting
confronting

create, then,
empower
enemies

a few burnt buildings
may have lost
50 years of dignity

a few burnt buildings
more––
for ego's sake––
might cost the loss
of democracy
for all

call out to the good
of others
engage their empathy
with yours

we must be strong enough
to change
the future

the heart of our country
embraces all people & all races

hate lives at the ego’s root,
the hell of selfishness and fear

it tastes like tear gas & smoke
& is as lifeless as a blank & pitiless
wall

no anger –– no hate
no anger –– no hate

be joyful.
spread kindness.
keep hope alive.