Citizen

By Cliff Lake

 

Citizen

 

Citizen,

A single voice you are -

Will you speak against the madness?

The soul of a people staked.

Some sold it.

Some hold it.

The battle earnest begun,

Where do you take your stand?

On the shaking, unsteady strands,

Woven of lie upon lie?

Or on firm resolution,

Crafted of the care for others,

Each with a voice of their own?

Citizen,

A single voice you have –

Will you join it to the victory chorus,

Made possible in union with,

And the celebration of,

Those differences

That enrich the whole

Of the ensemble,

Singing down

The banshee cry of the raveners.

Citizen,

A single song you are –

But the morning chorale,

Always begins with

One trill greeting the dawn.

One warble to call.

One voice to waken.

One song against the passing dark.

Citizen,

Lift your voice,

And together we may all be heard.

Citizen,

The darkness must pass…

Be heard.

Citizen…

 

Cliff Lake 3/11/2024

Copyright © Clifford Lake 2024

Location: Wichita, KS, USA

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