I
What in the heart
enables the justification
of our outward walls,
our inward walls,
our divisions?
enables the justification
of our outward walls,
our inward walls,
our divisions?
Ruddy faces, stubby fingers
(the stranger approach)
stabbing, stamping figures
of hate.
(the stranger approach)
stabbing, stamping figures
of hate.
Do our baffled eyes hear?
Do our confounded ears see?
Do our confounded ears see?
The Divide is drawn:
those who can
those who cannot
comprehend compassion,
Mercy.
those who can
those who cannot
comprehend compassion,
Mercy.
Lowly
hearts cannot but weep,
outraged
demoralized
by this state of disunity.
hearts cannot but weep,
outraged
demoralized
by this state of disunity.
Hear these confused souls abound.
See these bewildered minds abound.
See these bewildered minds abound.
Of Love
no voice shouts, shares
(the kindred approach)
smiling faces, healing words.
no voice shouts, shares
(the kindred approach)
smiling faces, healing words.
Our divisions,
our outward walls,
are our inward walls.
And our brothers and sisters
will ever be our own bruised hearts.
our outward walls,
are our inward walls.
And our brothers and sisters
will ever be our own bruised hearts.
II
Busloads, caravans,
miles of earthly bodies
miles of hungry brethren
seeking asylum
fleeing oppression,
violence.
Extend hands to embrace
to invite.
Expand hearts to include
to embolden.
to invite.
Expand hearts to include
to embolden.
Imagine a time when we are one.
To inspire
expand your heart space.
To enlighten
extend your open hands.
expand your heart space.
To enlighten
extend your open hands.
Love
defeats divisions,
provides sanctuary
to our needy siblings
to each celestial seeker
migrating home.
defeats divisions,
provides sanctuary
to our needy siblings
to each celestial seeker
migrating home.
III
“Give me your tired, your poor,
your huddled masses…”
We hunger, Lord,
for freedom.
We are tired, Lord,
of bondage.
What is freedom and what is bondage?
What is freedom, if not bondage in you?
Not chains, nor walls, nor boundaries can confine this spirit,
this released granted to those welded to you,
Not chains, nor walls, nor boundaries can confine this spirit,
this released granted to those welded to you,
this escape bestowed to your beloved.
Of bondage,
You promise release.
For freedom,
You feed my soul.
“Send these, the homeless,
tempest-tost to me…”
You promise release.
For freedom,
You feed my soul.
“Send these, the homeless,
tempest-tost to me…”
IV
This union was built upon a rock.
Not a stone intended
to pummel
a blasphemer
an adulterer
to death,
but a foundation
unshakable
unbreakable.
Truth will not be denied.
Unmistakable,
unexplainable
mercy promised.
A new life
to the sinner in you
to the sinner in me
to restore
every single injury.
This union was built upon the rock.
Nathan Wade Calley is an educator living and working in Brownsville, TX.