Stutter

For once, she didn't stutter.

For once, in a life of squeals and mutters
She stood up, her heart a flutter
and she spoke.

A stunned silence.

A stunned silence in a world that had been filled with violence.
She's a person?
     Mental connections quickly reformed their alliance.

Off stage, eyes delayed blinking just a second longer
The audience assumed she really got into character
Because if this was her, then they'd mistreated her

Now, her voice had depth and resonance
Every action done to her now had relevance
The words flowed with power and intent

Art can be improvised. It can be practised.
It's audience can be anything from the world to a reflection.
But when it hits, it hits hard.

The girl knew this.
And,
for once
she didn't stutter.

The arc of the moral universe

"Evil may so shape events that Caesar will occupy a place and Christ a cross, but that same Christ will rise up and split history into Ad and BC, so that even the life of Caesar must be dated by his name. Yes, 'the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice'"

http://www.thekingcenter.org/archive/document/out-long-night-segregation#

It is a famous quote. You may have heard it before.
It may have confused you and given you pause,
So here I present it in a more full clause,
To help you appreciate just what this quote may be for.

In my eyes it is in nature spiritual
          The physical world may not follow the same
It does not say the ruthless will be forgotten
          We remember both Christ's and Caesar's names
It does not say that we don't need to try
         That fate will cast evil, eventually, with shame
It talks of God's plan, how we struggle to see it
         But his will be the glory, and his will be the fame

It may not serve as much comfort to persecuted nations
Nor give the persecutors all that much hesitation
Since, I believe, this quote is spiritual in its intentions
So it may just give worshipers one notion of celebration

That faith is worthwhile, in the eyes of the believer
And that which is belongs to him, shall be rendered onto Caesar

Inspiration from a fascinating article about how some people might misunderstand the quote - https://www.thedailybeast.com/obama-loves-martin-luther-kings-great-quotebut-he-uses-it-incorrectly

Rain

Do you fight the rain, or embrace it?
Do you back down or do you face it?

The rain hits hard, no one denies that
Yet it's also bearable, you must realise that
It may be unpleasant, or better from afar
Sounds better on the windows or roof of a car

But what if you know you'll have to walk in rain?
Do you live your life inside in full restrain?
Do you go outside, but only reluctantly
Protect what you can, shield your body lovingly

Or do you go out with open arms
No shield from rain, no shield from harm
The rain will pass. It's not that bad.
Your body adapts. Do not be sad.

Sometime you need to dive in, and let your mind be open.
You don't chose life's conditions, just how you approach them.

What she left behind

I can't even remember her face any more
I stared into her eyes for such a long time
What colour were they? Hazy.
Same as her hands, I so often held in mine
She was kind to me, I remember that
Especially when we left, tried to leave me with no pain
And with it she took nearly everything.
Memories. Seized along with her name.
She was greater than me, in a way I could never know
She was beautiful. Stunning. Someone I could never find.
I've tried looking, but there was no clues. Nothing.
There was only one thing she left behind.

The one thing she couldn't remove. She probably didn't have a choice.
She who one I loved.
      She who erased everything.
            She who left me alone.
                 She I can't recall.
I have but one final memory of it all.
That she had the most lovely voice.

     

The Compass and The Instructor

The Compass

The compass was a gift from God
But the needle refused to stay still
I'd walk three miles through deepest bog
Trying to follow its will

Today is a day we go North!
Needle held a steady line
Next day was East. I went forth
Then it showed South for a time

Occasionally, I would stop
Watch my compass circle round
Dive and dance and spin and drop
Sometimes point at the ground

While stationary I would panic
"I'm not going where I'm supposed to be"
While walking I'd grow manic
Following the whims of a force I could not see


I know not where I'm being led
I will walk through wind sun and shade
Following the smallest crumbs of bread
To feel that some progress has been made

The Instructor

The instructor, they took my hand

Adjusted the grip on my waist

Pushed my feet out slightly

Gave three instructions to my face

I had plenty of questions

But knew I was not allowed to ask

It was my job to learn

This oh-so-difficult task

The instructor was powerful

But gentle in their touch

I followed where they led

And did not question. Much.

Each time I tried, the same reply

Was whispered in my ear

Do not forget, my dear

I am the instructor here

In awe, I fell silent

Until another question would arise

This happened time and time again

Until, to my surprise

I finally lost myself in the dance. And then, for just a little while

We danced together as a pair, and I saw the instructor smile