On the Election of Barack Obama ... A Poem

On the election of Barack Obama or Yes I forgive You

Not even the newscasters
    Reporting the results
        Had the right words.

Nor the commentators.
     No one seemed to know
         What it all meant.

Still there was emotion.
      Bishop T.D. Jakes tried to explain.
           Representative John Lewis
                      Gave it a shot.

But those of us who knew --- knew.

It was in Jessie Jackson’s and my mother’s tears,
    It was all swelled up in Oprah’s eyes
       behind the green she wore at Chicago's Grant Park.

America had finally had the fortitude
   To say “I’m sorry!”
       In a way that was unique
            Unexpected, unrehearsed.

And we accepted in a 13 minute speech by our own native son.
       And because of this
               We can move on.

We can now dare to dream…
      Our excuses no longer carry validity.
             They have been caught up and
                      wiped away in that “wind of change”.

And this morning, just one day out
      I awakened to the sound of
            Birds chirping, humming a melody.
                     “Yes we can. Yes we can!”

The door to service now opened wide
Grab your share of this “magnet"
Leading to the confirmation
And blessings of the Holy One.

The door, the window,
    the possibility,
      the hope,
        the dream,
            the inspiration.

America, if you did not know before
   Now you have a glimpse of why immigrants
       flock to your borders, your shores.

They have all seen the potential
     you have for greatness
            and everyone wants a slice.

And the pie is huge
           and those who are denied entrance to this oasis,
                        this melting pot of possibility
                                   sometimes turn around disappointed,
but sometimes they become filled with hate,
            wanting revenge for denied access.

America,
On the morning after the apology we say
“I accept!”…
      Your apology
      Your call for service, for shared sacrifice,
                 promising the greater good.
      Your divine destiny to lead
          All nations spiritually just
               As you have dominated the world materially.

We accept
The anointing you have placed on our coreligionist—
     The Jews, the Hindus, the Muslims, the Christians, Zoroastrians, the Baha’is
               and all those who profess to know and love and honor God.

We accept those who humbly come to your grace,
           seeking love, shelter, guidance and a better way.
               The words of poet Robert Hayden come to mind.
                   He wrote, “In that great getting up morning…”
                         and that is what this feels like to me.

So yes, we celebrate

   the unshackling of the chains,
      the unraveling of the semi-invisible walls of hate,
         radicalism, diversion and division,
And instead we bathe in this new day
   letting the calming waters of tolerance,
      mutual respect, unity, love and fellowship
          embrace our brown, black, white, yellow and red skins.

So–
   We move on …
      We serve on …
         We unite on …

And yes we can …
    We love on…

Finally allowed to get back ... to the dream of a King.

© Loretta Crosby. All Rights Reserved.
05 November 2008 10:01 a.m.

So, do you have any reflections / comments to share on this event? Post them here!