"continuing"

for my hope, i thank the many
the marchers, boycotters,
rabble-rousers, litigators
and saints.

i thank the ones who sacrificed
safety, jobs, fear and life
to bring freedom songs, freedom
rides and freedom ring;
sacred acts of love
into the world.

i thank the unknown
and unknowable martyrs
whose memorial is our continuing
struggle, courage

and hope

that each tear, each drop
of blood, each life lost
on the journey to
build a beloved community

will be redeemed;
and our humanity
affirmed; and the sacred
rendered commonplace
(c) 2002