A Poem For the Times

Today, on this day that commemorates Martin Luther King Jr., I was moved to write this, the poem "The Fire, My Son." You can download it here. Please share it with everyone you know. Thanks!

The Fire, My Son

Tend the fire, my son.

We did not light it,

But we have forgotten how to relight it.

So tend the fire, my son.

Lest it goes out.

I did not light the fire, my son.

Nor did my father,

And it will burn long after you are gone.

So tend the fire, my son.

Lest it goes out.

Look at the fire, my son.

Do you see the pain?

Do you see the hurt, the struggle?

Do you see those who came before?

Whose blood was spilled

So you can stand here today?

Those who died so you could live?

My beautiful son.

So tend the fire, my son.

Lest it goes out.

We need this fire, my son.

It gives out warmth

And throws light into the dark corners

Leaving no place for the evil and hateful to hide.

This fire must be tended, my son.

Lest it goes out,

And throws us back into darkness,

From where we cannot see.

Guard your heart from fear and hate

And tend the fire, my son

That it may never go out.

~N.H. Roncolato

Jan. 18, 2016

#Poetry #MLKnow #CivilRights