Words Are Dreams

 Words.

Are dreams.

Great words ... large dreams.

To encompass the greater good.

Whatever the limits of the Founders.

For all have limits.

But their words are limitless.

If we allow them free rein.

"We the People.

"All men are created equal."

"E pluribus unum."

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Some would take these words.

And wring them like a dishcloth.

Wring them dry.

Twisted tight and hung out to dry.

But great words are defiant.

If given half a chance.

These few words have been our dreams.

Dreams unimagined, and wild.

Dreams to fuel the fires of hope.

Justice, mercy, and Peace.

"We the People.

"All men are created equal."

"E pluribus unum."

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

What they mean for a John Lewis on the Pettus Bridge.

Or a Harriet Tubman leading a child.

What they mean for a Lincoln in the throes of war.

Or FDR in the face of a Great Depression.

Or Angela Davis.

Or AOC.

Big dreams willing to march.

Big dreams eager to reach.

Powerful words in the mouth of a dreamer.

In the heart of the compassionate.

They have to be our words, too.

Now, of all times.

We cannot shrink the horizon of our dreams.

We have to let them take us onto flights of fancy.

Across the bridge.

Across the field.

No one left behind.

From sea to shining sea.

I have dreams, said Martin.

O Lord Almighty, the Mother of all such dreams.

Be kind to us in our hour of need.

Push us hard in the times of choice.

Let our dreams match the cries of a frightened child.

And the lament of a broken heart.

Let our dreams be worthy of our creation.

Worthy of another generation's gratitude.

"We the People.

"All men are created equal."

"E pluribus unum."

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

And others will say:

They crossed the bridge when needed.