Martin Luther King, Jr. by Dennis Lange

King dreamed that he would say (when chains were past
Or strands so thin and few), these words long overdue,
“Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

Though Egypt was behind, her reach was vast.
And like the wind, he blew winged words that fell like dew.
King dreamed a dream when all the chains were past.

His voice was Gabriel’s mighty trumpet blast;
The march began on cue, toward Canaan’s words and view,
“Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

His dream? – by hate and pharaohs not harassed;
Men judged, not by their hue; a future bright and new.
King dreamed a dream when all the chains were past.

Upon the farther shore, his people massed,
The sea returned and blue, they’d shout because they knew,
“Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

Let go the broken chains! Away, them cast!
The speech and dream came true, for all who dare and do.
And now men say, since all their chains are past:
“Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

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© Dennis Lange and thebardonthehill.wordpress.com, 2016.

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First-Day Thoughts by John Greenleaf Whittier

In calm and cool and silence, once again
…I find my old accustomed place among
…My brethren, where, perchance, no human tongue
…Shall utter words; where never hymn is sung,
…Nor deep-toned organ blown, nor censer swung,
Nor dim light falling through the pictured pane!
There, syllabled by silence, let me hear
The still small voice which reached the prophet’s ear;
Read in my heart a still diviner law
Than Israel’s leader on his tables saw!
There, let me strive with each besetting sin,
…Recall my wandering fancies, and restrain
…The sore disquiet of a restless brain;
…And, as the path of duty is made plain,
May grace be given that I may walk therein,
…Not like the hireling, for his selfish gain,
With backward glances and reluctant tread,
Making a merit of his coward dread,
…But, cheerful, in the light around me thrown,
…Walking as one to pleasant service led;
…Doing God’s will as if it were my own,
Yet trusting not in mine, but in his strength alone!

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