New York 1969
There were those among us that shone with light
illuminated landscapes never seen so bright
awakened knowledge we knew not we had
remembering those people makes us glad.
yes, they were scientists, stars in their field
lantern bearers leading us forward
lighting stepping-stones of understanding
in the dangerous darkness that surrounds us.
yes, they were scholars of ancient tongues
lighting mental pictures all we can see
of our past path curving convexly
amongst a limitless universe
where time can travel fast and far
with news of us to some distant star
now unembargoed after eighty years
memories awaken set free causing sighs and smiles.
I was born in London during an air raid
bigger bombs and missiles now daunt Ukraine
Gaza has rubble heaps bigger than Lambeth
Our brains cannot comprehend so much pain.
Jews, Palestinians, troubles in Ireland
Just some cans to kick down the road
always cause for concern always an issue
religion or rather irreligion rules
prayers go unanswered, politics flails
young children dying are just sad details
I was twenty-five at Columbia in New York.
Palestinians shared grievances I heard firsthand.
Blacks discussed racism openly with me.
I went to a Mets game and sat in the grandstand.
Revolution was in the humid Hudson air.
Mao said power comes from the barrel of a gun.
People read Sartre, Marcuse, Franz Fanon.
Beckett got a Nobel. I met Virginia.
We went to a party at Inderjit Badhwar’s
with Virginia’s friend her hair in an afro
where a black man punched a white man
and Yvonne was uncomfortable wanted to go.
It wasn’t racist, more jealously than portend
Don’t ask a girl to dance ignoring her boyfriend.
Dick Russell © copyright 2024
Richard M Russell
