185: Birdsong

For Colleyville

I’ve heard that the reason

birds sing in the morning

is to say to one another

I made it through the night.

I guess that’s what we were doing

on Sunday morning.

Members of our church

met members of their synagogue

on the sidewalk in front of

tall temple doors.

We said even though I walk

through the valley

of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil.

We had it memorized, our voices

tangled up in teary-eyed unison.

I guess that’s what we were doing

when we sang “We shall overcome”

and “We are not afraid” out into the

city’s streets- a tiny mob of hope.

I guess that’s why people stopped to listen,

because it was birdsong.

It was us-

after another night of violence

after another night of Lord how long

after another sanctuary stained

singing to one another-

we made it through the night.

I am here.

Do you hear me?

I hear you.

We shall overcome.