If Martin Was Here

If Martin was alive,

I wonder what he would say.

Would he cry out with deep sadness,

Or would he shout with deep concern?

Martin, what would you say about this world?

Would you be angry with what we have done,

Or would you be angry with what we have not done?

Would you say we have not heard your words?

What would you tell us we need to do?

Would it be the war or poverty or homelessness?

Would it be violence or education or hatred?

Would you tell us we need to reach out and touch each other

And share our concerns with love and compassion?

How would you feel about the racism that still exists,

And how many people walk the streets

With no place to lay their heads?

How would you feel about our sending more troops

When we should not have sent any at all?

How would you feel about the violence

That perpetuates each day on the streets

With no regard for the blessing of life?

Martin, if only you were alive today.

Could you tell us what we need to do,

And where we need to reach out

And help to hold our children with care

To guide them to reach higher heights?

Oh!  How I wish I cold ask you what we need to do

And where our hearts need to be?

Oh!  How I wish you could tell us how to help

Our fellow man/woman to find warmth and comfort in this life?

But I can’t ask you.

And so, I must find my own answers,

So I can reach out to change this world

To bring about peace and contentment.

I need to stand up and ask for help

So that we can all work together

To try and solve some of these ills.

Please, Martin, keep on inspiring me

So I can reach out and help all I can

And ask for others to help me along the way

So I must know I must never give up!!!!

© Hilda Ward, 2011

Martin Luther King; photo by Flip Schulke/Corbis in Time Photos