September 7th

“But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.’” Acts 4:19-20

when the privileged
boast of another stock
market record being set
and tell the have-nots
to pull themselves up,
when the arrogant hold
all the gavels and tell
the oppressed to keep
silent in kangaroo courts,
when the world tries
to gag our voices with
all their fears and worries,
help us to remember
that wind which burst open
locked doors and shuttered windows
and sent us out into the streets
to speak of justice,
that bread broken into
enough pieces to heal
a shattered world,
that empty tomb which echoes
the resurrection songs of angels,
and that fire which burnt our lips
so we could cry out
with that love
which refuses to stay silent.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman