A little contextual note. I wrote this in delight and wonder at Stacey Abrams who had moved mountains in Georgia. On the morning of January 6, 2021, before the Capitol was stormed by domestic terrorists, I was feeling very hopeful at what was going on in the country. The day changed so rapidly as we now know… it’s hard to remember that morning. – EM, Jan 2022
Democracy: hear my name
I am a black mark on a white paper
I am also black men in a white field of fear
I am here.
Democracy, you hear my name today
Democracy, you are not loud
you are not banners waving,
glory, ratings, anthems
you are not red.
blood in the streets
You are a quiet muse
inside me, and inside the acts of
a hundred million others.
Democracy, I hear your name
alive for thousands of years,
overturning kings,
creating chaos among sycophants
Ruining deals.
Democracy, you are in my heart
You are in my neighbor’s house.
You are in tiny action and small steps
Waiting 6 feet apart at the ballot box. Silent.
Democracy: you have lived, you love
and you are reinforced in simple steps
Organization
A Nation
-EMM 1/6/2021
