Written by Angela Riddick, Poetic Mustard Seeds. Revised and copyrighted 2019. Originally inspired and written in 2013 on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.
50+ years ago
a bright-eyed wishful young woman
who was denied
who was emotionally scarred
traveled and she stood
not in spirit
but in Grace
and in person
50+ years ago
a hopeful young man
kneeled towards strength
as he watched Dr. King deliver
what he hoped
were more than just a
soliloquy of grandiose words
50+ years ago
amongst thousands
stood
your children
my children
“our” children
beaming at the possibility
of being included
in the success of America’s tomorrow
50+ years ago
a man was obedient
to God using him as a vessel
to wake America up
from its slumber of
mistreated humans
misguided principles
missed-opportunities
towards a hopeful greatness
50+ years ago
on a sweltering day
in Washington
heat did not matter
distance did not matter
but dedication did matter
and their dedication
are the backs on which you and I stand
so …
50+ years later
what are you dedicated to?
does anything in your life
anything?
turn the arc
toward justice
and peace
and fairness
and economic wholeness
for every American
or
do you rob mankind
do you shackle all of us
and our environment
of what it has the potential to be … by
refusing obedience
refusing to travel beyond your self
refusing to give beyond good measure
refusing to go the distance
and refusing to stand for what matters most
in person
and not just in spirit
50+ years later
i ask
what will you dedicate yourself to today?
and what are you standing for?
“Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?” Job 4:6 NLT
