EQUALITY - Cyril Paul Sept. 2001

The winds of time in successive fury

Blew the breath of God in ways so many

To the sacred scattered signs of Hope

In places where reason still stays afloat

Reason hangs passionately to the sinking boat

Drifting somewhat aimlessly in the fratricidal tide

With victims aboard chained side by side

But gawkers safely on the shore

Cover their ears to keep out the roar

Of the battering waves and the merciful bellow

Of victims crying out pitifully as the storm

Bent on destruction twists and tosses

To the rock, to oblivion, those wretched souls

And as sorrow surrenders

The victims turned to prayer and song

They did no wrong.

New strength, thanking God for their deliverance

From inequality and indifference Then from the jaws of death

The Civil Rights law breathes new breath

Still the struggle for survival staggers stymied

Hatred and fear abounds, it's not over yet.