come-in-unity (community)

for a brief time

we come into your lives

hoping to find

an open mind

and comfort in humankind

a clenched fist knocks on your door

eager to release it and reach for

a connection between two strangers, a cause and “come in!”

for this truly is where social justice begins

although we cannot step into your house

we will gladly talk with you about

the issues that bother you and what you want to see changed

for you deserve to be listened to

when you call out those issues that need to be named

how close the houses are in proximity

but how distant they feel from unity

too many voices have been silenced

by those who choose fear over kindness

whose sharp words bleed verbal violence

with all the pain and discrimination in this world

i can’t help but wonder what we all are here for

is it not to come in to people’s lives and find

the unifying Humanity that resides    

in the grateful smiles and hands that we shake

in the long lasting connections that we make

for a brief time

we come into your lives

searching to find

like-minds

and although it may be hard to believe

you hold all the power that you need

to transform your situation and community

for when open doors meet open minds

possibilities fill the sky

and we can change all that is unjust and wrong

we can create a community of which everyone belongs

for in this small space

between a front door and welcome mat

our Humanity brushes up against each other

and we exchange just that

for what is a community (come-in-unity) based on but

different people willing to open up

to each other and each concern

for justice is something everyone deserves

and because there will always be

interns working for VOP

who unite under justice and equality

we cannot be discouraged, we cannot weep or cry

because we are standing up for people whose access is denied

therefore, we will continue to door knock

and adopt front porches as our own

for like front porch flowers

there will always be room for hope to grow

© Jona Noelle Baily, 2011

Flower with room to grow; photo by Tony Russell