Upon pain of losing fingers
hands tongues eyes or breath itself
they still stole
the words the pages the scraps the books and hummed the story into
a stair of light upon which to climb
not only up a mountain but into the clouds –
If those words can make you free they said
them words will sprout wings
upon our backs and spark lightning in our fingers
Every chosen one
had to climb walk or crawl up the rock
Yes a mountain sometimes
a hill
they still stole
the words the pages the scraps the books and hummed the story into
a stair of light upon which to climb
not only up a mountain but into the clouds –
If those words can make you free they said
them words will sprout wings
upon our backs and spark lightning in our fingers
Every chosen one
had to climb walk or crawl up the rock
Yes a mountain sometimes
a hill
maybe even just a mound beneath which the most sacred bones
were cherished
A Rock
Moses went when summoned and returned shouting “Go, Be Free”
A Rock
Elijah survived earthquake fire and storm to gain the stillness of complete love
at the pinnacle where all is revealed
A Rock
no, a stone upon which
the wisest bravest oldest of the sojourners would finally rest
at the crossroads where hope met dread where blindness was stunned
into sight
Ebenezer the Rock was called
where help was offered and claimed where the chosen and blessed were anointed
for the people always the people
Samuel waited to see who would stand ready
to deliver God’s children and sing the songs that gladden our hearts even now
They knew that every child who climbed that rock returned with words that gave
wings to dreams
The child who stood on the mountain who was dragged up the hill
spoke the word that we still stretch out our souls to hear and to hold
the Word
that causes us to tremble tells us yes this day that if you climb the rock
it is to see a way to the Promise Land go and return
and guide us on
were cherished
A Rock
Moses went when summoned and returned shouting “Go, Be Free”
A Rock
Elijah survived earthquake fire and storm to gain the stillness of complete love
at the pinnacle where all is revealed
A Rock
no, a stone upon which
the wisest bravest oldest of the sojourners would finally rest
at the crossroads where hope met dread where blindness was stunned
into sight
Ebenezer the Rock was called
where help was offered and claimed where the chosen and blessed were anointed
for the people always the people
Samuel waited to see who would stand ready
to deliver God’s children and sing the songs that gladden our hearts even now
wings to dreams
The child who stood on the mountain who was dragged up the hill
spoke the word that we still stretch out our souls to hear and to hold
the Word
that causes us to tremble tells us yes this day that if you climb the rock
it is to see a way to the Promise Land go and return
and guide us on
**********************************
(There
are very, very few institutions in the Black community that can be honored for
celebrating 152 years of existence. The fact that three formerly enslaved
African American families gathered to pray together, without ceasing, is the
most profound reason for confirming with word and deed this milestone
celebration. October 6, 2023.)
