Poemattic: Poetry and Art for the Soul

‘When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.” – Late Congressman John R. Lewis

 

I finally read the entire OpEd written by John Lewis shortly before his death. It brought back Dr. Martin l. King’s last prophetic speech where he said, “I have seen the promise land; I  may not get there with you but I want you to know we as a people will get to the promise land.”

We cannot let the words of these two great men be erased from our history and most importantly from our collective conscience. We need to make sure that their dreams live on. We must exercise our right to vote and to make sure our country is under the leadership of intelligent, truthful and empathetic men and women.

I pray that COVID 19 does not continue to kill so many vulnerable Americans. I pray that I see the change in my lifetime. I pray that I can be a part of the change. We have 86 days to think about what is at stake. It is time to think big like one of my wonderful teachers used to say. He would challenge us everyday with this: “let me see how shrewd you are.” This continues to resonate in my mind.

Of course I just had to write a poem about it. Here it is.

Let me see how shrewd you are,

he’d ask us every morning.

We all knew he expected

from all of us to be

the best that we could be.

He wanted us to see

from all different perspectives.

 

He’d write a quote on the board

and made us think real hard

His methods some would say were a little avant-garde

He had a domineering voice

Everyone had to opine

We did not have a choice.

His quoted people from all walks of life;

usually someone he admired

for their leadership and courage.

 

Everyone loved him

He made learning fun and adventurous

Not once did we get tired

of how vociferous

he was.

If Mr. G is still around

I hope he knows he made good trouble

when he told us

to always stand our ground.