sourceI posted this poem in October of last year, as a tribute to you and your loved ones who were/are faced with tremendous obstacles, like cancer. I'm re-posting it in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Apologies that I haven't written new non-erotica poetry as of late. I'm hoping to do so soon.
I was fortunate enough to be in the audience many years ago, when Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King's then widow, who passed away in 2006; gave a moving speech. Even more awesome, that speech was delivered to a Jewish audience. I couldn't have felt more directly connected with the Reverend's teachings.
As horrible as things seem in the greater picture, there's always reason for hope. In fact, hope is our only real option. Right?
Have a hopeful week, with gratitude to Martin Luther King for his greatness and courage.
Courage
Extending the dance,
When you’ve long lost your groove
Swimming to shore too frail to move.
Stepping towards light, when darkness abounds
Permitting a laugh amid no other sounds.
Confronting a beast no one should endure
It strikes with no warning, no reprieve and no cure.
Swimming to shore too frail to move.
Stepping towards light, when darkness abounds
Permitting a laugh amid no other sounds.
Confronting a beast no one should endure
It strikes with no warning, no reprieve and no cure.
Snuggling with hope, when the pain you can’t bare
Unveiling your heart in the face of despair.
Conveying a smile, when you’d much rather cry
Speaking the truth though it’s safer to lie.
Taking a stance, when integrity’s lost
Forcing what’s right in spite of the cost.
Unveiling your heart in the face of despair.
Conveying a smile, when you’d much rather cry
Speaking the truth though it’s safer to lie.
Taking a stance, when integrity’s lost
Forcing what’s right in spite of the cost.
Holding to faith in your value and worth
Maintaining a grace that softens the earth.
Passing with ease
As you air your last breath
A hero whose soul
Transcends life
and death.
That was beautiful, Robyn. And how fortunate you heard his wife speak.
ReplyDeleteIt was awesome, Alex. I remember most powerfully how she spoke of the Jewish people's similarities to the Black/African American community - how we are all brothers and sisters, with a similar history. Of course, I'm not at all doing justice to her words.
Deleteexcellent poem, and glad you were inspired by her talk. If only we could all take the words to heart and aspire to what is good and right, etc. As long as we keep trying. Have a great week
ReplyDeleteRight, Joanne. All we can do, is do all we can. Thank you.
DeletePerfect and inspiring indeed. We have to have the courage to push on indeed.
ReplyDeleteBut what though no erotic stuff? You're too busy with George to write about it hahaha
Um, yeah, kind of. Smiles.
DeleteThat is awesome that you got to hear Mrs. King speak!! One of my favorite books is Richard Lischer's account of Mr. King. You have to admire a man who gave so much of himself for so many others.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though nobody like him exists. That kind of heroism is so remarkable.
DeleteBeautiful and powerful.
ReplyDeleteHooray for hope, a shining beacon in our fragile hearts.
I love the way you worded that, EC. Thanks.
DeletePowerful words.
ReplyDeleteHope is always necessary.
ReplyDeleteThat poem is perfect for him!! Such an amazing man. And what an opportunity to hear his wife speak! That would just be incredible.
ReplyDeleteIt was, BabySis. She was as fierce and spunky as he.
DeleteThanks, Delores.
Jo, true. We really can't get through the day without it.
Too bad all the cynics in the world can't read your poem. Beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Stephen.
DeleteAh, that's a great poem. What a thrill it must have been to see Coretta King.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I remember telling myself how fortunate I was - how amazing she is and, when I learned of her death, grateful I'd seen her.
DeleteI needed this today (smile). Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat means a lot. You're welcome, DC.
DeleteKeep hope.
I bet that would have been something, hearing Mrs. King speak. And that was a fantastically inspiring poem. We certainly do need hope, and we do need to speak the truth even when lying is safer.
ReplyDeleteThat line hits home for me, BnB. Seems we're hit with more and more liars and opportunities in which it's safer to join them.
DeleteGreat poem and how lucky were you to get to see Mrs. King?! I have often wondered how different the world might be had MLK not been murdered.
ReplyDeleteI wonder about that, too, regarding Lincoln and JFK.
DeleteIt's a pity he isn't alive to hear you recite that poem, Robyn. He would surely be touched, and maybe even ask you to be his speech writer!
ReplyDeleteYou're sweet, GB, though he didn't need a speech writer. To be in his presence would've been amazing.
DeleteAw man, "have a hopeful Martin Luther King Jr. Day"! I'm glad I didn't think of the word "hopeful" when I was writing my post or I would have robbed myself of a thought exercise. Oh well. Great poem and I love that you have to write, "Apologies that I haven't written new non-erotica poetry..." I think you're living right when you write something like that.
ReplyDeleteHaha, good point, Pickleope. I'm glad I haven't had time to write new non-erotica poetry lately. Wink.
DeleteVERRRRY good. "Snuggling with hope"... I really like that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, CW. Sometimes we have to snuggle really tight. Don't we? Smiles.
DeleteWonderful poem, Robyn! Really, this is so well done.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem, and I am sure MLK would have been proud that he as able to inspire you to put the message out there for all of us to read :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Daisy and Theresa. Be well.
DeleteExcellent poem, Robyn. I remember King. It must have been 1967 --I rounded up a few friends and we cut high school that day. Drove my Chevy to the levy where Sac. State College was and joined the audience on the practice field. Dr. King addressed us and stayed to talk and shake hands. That's how I remember him, not as a statue or old archival photo, but as a man --a peacemaker whose influence would never end.
ReplyDeleteWow, Geo. You really are a treasure trove of history and remarkableness.
DeleteThis poem will have to suffice for now ;)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day :)
You too, Michael.
DeleteBeautiful and hope-filled, thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, and keep a smile, Jacqueline.
DeleteWhat an amazing and powerful tribute, Robyn. Kudos :)
ReplyDeleteAs Keith says, your beautiful poem is an evocative and moving tribute. I envy you having heard his wife speak. Thanks for being our friend. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis poem is beautiful and rich in words and feeling. It must have been such a honour to have heard Ms. King speak. Great tribute
ReplyDeleteThis is such a touching poem, Robyn! There are many similarities between what the blacks and Jews have gone through, and it must have been very meaningful hearing it from Mrs. King.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Beautifully written my friend!
ReplyDeleteOh wow. This is so beautiful and touching. I think it's only human to hold on to this little spark of hope, even when the pain and problems are too difficult to bear.
ReplyDeletemoving Robyn - I hope you are well
ReplyDeleteA beautiful poem. I remember well the day we lost Rev. King.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear sillies.
ReplyDeleteI will be mostly off-grid through the weekend. Will catch up with you soon.
Be well, and keep a smile. xo
Too bad that hope isn't really our only option, although I'll grudgingly admit it's probably the best option. Anyway, you're so right to choose it. I'll try and follow your example.
ReplyDeleteA salute to a man who's made the world think twice.
ReplyDeleteNice of you to pay him tribute. :)
Wonderful work Robyn. And a moving tribute to a great man.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember you mentioning her before but what a wonderful experience.
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ReplyDeleteشركات نقل عفش بالدمام
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