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