Martin Luther King Jr. Lives!
The Baton of Hope
As we look to the hope of another New Year
we cast away fear
draw our loved ones near
perhaps shed a tear
as we join in the cheer
We prepare for deeds of hope by looking at our past
holding progress fast
effecting change that lasts
challenging old casts
with our potential vast
There’s a baton of hope we pass to you that leaves behind subjugation
forced humiliation
violent degradation
silent desperation
to replace with education
We honor King by letting you know this baton is intergenerational
its principle foundational
the golden rule’s transformational
like Rachel’s challenge, motivational
and we see you—as inspirational
Our baton is made of human voices and eyes so deep with need
and hands that do believe
they can succeed
resisting greed
and crimes that bleed
to form a creed
and truly lead
“America the beautiful, God sheds His Grace on thee
“and crown thy good with brotherhood
“from sea to shining sea.”
Can we be
King’s dream and free
those changes made for equality?
The answer lies in we not me.
