a city of immigrants, veterans and
abolitionists
sitting quietly on the bank of
the ohio,
in ohio,
with gridded streets and hills on guard –
first step to freedom or work
and the promises of new life
for those who came
from
the farms –
ravaged by war, then floods,
and dry taps
in the ’20s –
prevailing;
with a flag screaming,
“unity assists!’
and icons of commerce, wisdom, justice
& water –
the city, today,
booms with commerce
led by those
with entrepreneurial hearts;
justice
led by those unafraid of bigotry & fear;
wisdom
led by those with courage to do what is
right
in the face of misinformation and
reactionary ideologies –
the city is no longer quiet –
the city screams, as it did in the past,
“unity assists!”
screams for its neighbors to get what they deserve;
screams for progress to build its reach;
screams for the room to be what it can –
the city was once called a “queen” by a poet
much more esteemed
than me,
just a casual visitor along its sleepy bank –
i visited and stayed and call this city
“home” –
‘and this street called vine –
this city of mine –
the business & the progress shall deliver –
to the queen of the west –
in her future dressed –
on the banks of the beautiful river’ –
with apologies to longfellow –
and love to those who bellow –
for those who feel we missed,
our calling of
“unity assists” –
it is for you who the veterans fought
for you why the immigrants sought
brighter shores
and for you who the abolitionists taught,
jeopardizing their lives at lane seminary
to do what’s right –
there is a history here on this noisy bank,
a history and a guide
showing us
the traditions of who we are and what we are called
to be –
uncover your ears!
open your eyes!
it’s here! it’s time! it’s now!
we, too, will be remembered –
not for what we thought, but for what we did
& who we were –
i want to be remembered for
caring
trying
doing;
for
“unity assists”