MLK Day 2018: The Dream

Take a look around

And tell me what you see.

Do you see a country

Where everyone is free?

Do you see the people

United in a land,

Where people of all color

Are walking hand in hand?

Do you see a church

Where years ago inside

Dynamite exploded

And four young girls died?

Do you see a counter

Where people were not served--

Where unjust laws determined

What certain folks deserved?

Do you see a street

Where protesters were sprayed

With high pressure hoses

While they marched and prayed?

Do you see a window--

If not, take closer note--

Where folks were turned away--

Were told, "You can't vote!"?

Do you see a house

Not everyone could buy

Unless they "qualified"?

Hmm. I wonder why?

Do you see a job

Where privilege preordained

Who'd be hired? Of course.

The practice was ingrained.

From out of the darkness emerged

A beacon, a shining light:

A man who offered us

A peaceful means to fight.

But while we've moved forward,

We keep stepping back,

For now voter rights

Again are under attack.

The long walk for freedom

Is not an easy walk.

Justice is also threatened

By insensitive talk.

For ugly, hateful rhetoric

Stirs the hard of heart

To act in unjust ways

Where reason plays no part.

Understanding, compassion,

And love should be our guide.

Let them push both hatred

And prejudice aside.

Stay on the path to justice

Even though it may seem

That roadblocks get in the way.

Don't give up the dream.

-by Bob B (1-15-18)