Wednesday, 23 January 2019

Reviving A Revolution (January 21, 2019)

On April 4, 2019
Marks the 51st anniversary
Of Dr Martin Luther King Jr
Assassination.


For many people
Dr King lead
The Civil Rights Movement
That gripped America
During the 1950s and 1960s.


Speaking of economic
And societal change
That branded him
A Communist radical.


By ruling
White male elites
Of his time.


Over the years
His words
Have become
Prophesied reality.


Of the slow
And painful crawl
To real change.


That has claimed
The lives
Of too many martyrs.


As taken up
By the current
Progressive Movement
Within the Democratic Party.


In the hallowed halls
Of Congress.


And yet
The climate change
He spoke of.


Still remains
A distance dream
For far too many people.


Regardless
Of our nationality
And age.


A goal
Everyone must
And should strive for.


Where equal value
For equal work
Isn't a chanted slogan
But reality for all.


And justice
Isn't defined
By one's skin colour
Religion/political beliefs
Or gender/sexual orientation.


A reality
Many LGBTQ+ people
We live with
On a daily basis.


In finding
That small corner
Where Dr King’s vision
Is reality.


Therisa © 2019

Author’s note: Written for Poets United midweek motif: climate change.

5 comments:

annell4 said...

A truly beautiful poem!! Really nice flow.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

It is amazing to realize it had been that long - he was one of the heroes of my youth. They fought so hard back then for he most basic rights...now being stripped away from them all over again. This cycle cannot be condoned, for we know better.

Marja said...

A man with vision to be remembered Very good

Susan said...

This is a good summary/commentary on the importance of Dr. King, his work and ideas and predictions. Lately DT has curtailed more rights for the LGBT+ communities--but hopefully justice will come through the courts.

Sumana Roy said...

Wow! Thanks for enriching me on many a note. A beautiful poem.

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