Proclamation - Kim Stafford

[Lawrence Robinson]

Proclamation 

Whereas the world is a house on fire;
Whereas the nations are filled with shouting;
Whereas hope seems small, sometimes
          a single bird on a wire
          left by migration behind.
Whereas kindness is seldom in the news
          and peace an abstraction
          while war is real;
Whereas words are all I have;
Whereas my life is short;
Whereas I am afraid;
Whereas I am free –despite all
          fire and anger and fear;
Be it therefore resolved a song
          shall be my calling – a song
          not yet made shall be vocation
          and peaceful words the work
          of my remaining days.

          - Kim Stafford