The Loving Gate of Our Beloved Community

 

The Loving Gate of Our Beloved Community

In memory of Murrell J. Higgins Duster

I always saw you first—

Not the strong one, not the loud one,

Not the self-righteous one, not the bullying one, but:

You, my friend—

The one who is a stranger, a newcomer,

The quiet community member.

We are all but one,

Woven from the same essence of life.

I stretch my hand to you,

With my heart in my hands.

Touch it,

So that you feel the connection, the care,

The wisdom, the Love.

Let’s combine our fires.

Tell me of your hopes and despairs.

Let me heal your wounds.

Let me share your humanity.

Let me be your gate to our beloved community,

With my beauty and compassion,

With an ever-present vision

For a better and kinder world—

A world of equality, inclusion, and diversity.

Don’t believe the news—

It is true that I am now with my lost children, my mother, and Ida B. Wells.

Yet, I am not gone.

Seek me in beauty and fire.

I love you forever. 

Photo Courtesy: Northeastern Illinois University