glowing yellow, black, and red—
younger than most in years
but with each wise word you said
you lifted me up
and up
and up—
how’d you find my shallow hole?
How’d you know where to look
to fill the empty in my soul?
Your words were like wings
guiding me out of a grave
Words like purpose, harmony, and bridges,
dared me to be brave.
You told me there was light
through the shade, beyond the tree,
then you said not just to look
for hope’s what we must be.
Because of you, I answer
from inside the walls I know too well;
Because of you, I now will share
all I have to tell.
The truth is real, I must declare,
despite so much neglect—
The truth must reign forever more;
its absence we regret.
And the truth’s that when you found me
I was buried deep in dirt,
my tired bones they ached,
my beaten spirit, Lord, it hurt.
Then your words traveled down
and down
and down
to the dark where I’d recoiled
Your verse gave me strength
and hope
and faith
despite the many lives of toil.
You took my hand and promised me
that the light is really there;
You told us we could be much more
than the burdens that we bear.
Thank you, young beacon, for spreading hope
and peace throughout the land.
Thank you, young poet, for convincing me
we have the strength to stand
and declare to all this nation:
it's time that freedom rings—
no more suffocation—
let's all end the suffering.
And the words that we will sing
will echo far and strong
until we finally work together
to right the nation’s wrongs.
Pure light, you showed the world
that our voices will be heard
because nothing starts to right a wrong
like a truthful, youthful word.
