185: Birdsong
For Colleyville
I’ve heard that the reason
birds sing in the morning
is to say to one another
I made it through the night.
I guess that’s what we were doing
on Sunday morning.
Members of our church
met members of their synagogue
on the sidewalk in front of
tall temple doors.
We said even though I walk
through the valley
of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil.
We had it memorized, our voices
tangled up in teary-eyed unison.
I guess that’s what we were doing
when we sang “We shall overcome”
and “We are not afraid” out into the
city’s streets- a tiny mob of hope.
I guess that’s why people stopped to listen,
because it was birdsong.
It was us-
after another night of violence
after another night of Lord how long
after another sanctuary stained
singing to one another-
we made it through the night.
I am here.
Do you hear me?
I hear you.
We shall overcome.