I’m seeing integration
It’s expressed in the million different ways
that define America
in the 21st century
Neighbors standing across a fence
my almostkindabuddy
begging the little girl in his arms to smile
while speaking to me
Sharing stories of dogs and kids,
potholes and the weather
The small, simple recognitions of community
I welcome the prophecy of transformation
Of renewed humanity in the outdoor thoughts
of barbecue, teenagers and shrubs
endemic to suburbia and TV shows
Fleeting, powerful moments of joy and recognition
begging for sustainability and sanction
Oh, if only our churches
and clubs and families
would do the unthinkable, could somehow do
the impossible, next generation inevitable
hard work of embrace
Ah, the sweet embrace that’s waiting
To be given and claimed
By your hog riding, beer swilling ‘play cousin’
and our lesbian aunt
And my own White son,
still learning to be a man
Loving Keith Urban and Run DMC,
Unafraid of judgment besides that of silly girls
And wise ones too
Needing to be told over and over
that you are not alone
because Michael Jackson was right
and you, my child and most precious creation
for whom I would gladly die
are the hope and future of our people,
of all the people
It’s your innately earned righteousness
That will lead us,
must lead us to the glorious shore
of a future
authentically prophesied
with love and deepest understanding
Mijo, you ARE the Dream
I only wish I could explain it,
without crying
I’m still worried you might confuse my tears
with sadness though really
its all joy
So much joy
for the man you will be
and the life you will live
My sweat mingles with those unavoidable tears
And my laughter and my envy
and my love and my joy for you
I wish I could live to know it
I am free enough for now
but you will be the love
I stand and proclaim
For tomorrow, today
In the sacred vestment of love
I am blessed to be the poet
Celebrating the poetry
Thank you for becoming a poem
Of the future
Even more than a prophecy
The clear vision of tomorrow
You will help to create
And manifest with your life
And my hopes
And every today
© Gayle Force Press 2014
The WhoDeannyPod 