Black and White – 2 - v3

Sitting in the den, comfortable,

my wife, my children, my mother-in-law

all African-American, watching his speech

sharing his words, his dream, remembering his work

Our littlest, seven, asking why the picture was in black and white

explaining, hard as it was for her to believe, that there was only

black and white television at that time, our history,

incredible, incredulous, watching the preacher on the mall

How much has changed, how much transpired, since those days

before the assassinations, before the internet, before Watergate

before cell phones, before voting rights, before Vietnam

so long ago, so far from today, her reality

We gathered today, we will gather tomorrow,

black and white, young and old, all of our nation,

to watch the flickering screen, now in full color

to see another chink, another link of the chain loosened

We will watch as another son, another man

stands to take the oath, to swear allegiance to our law

to take another step, on the road that Martin walked

to change our nation, in living color, for all

---

edited January 21, 2015

Black and White - 2 – v3

(editing original again)

edited January 21, 2013

Black and White - 2 – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/black-and-white-v2.html

January 19, 2009

Black and White - 2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/black-and-white.html

edited January 20, 2015

A Reality – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-reality-v4.html

(editing original again)

edited April 5, 2014

A Reality – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-reality-v3.html 

(editing original version)

edited January 20, 2015

His Daughters – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/his-daughters-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

The Consequence of Witness – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-consequence-of-witness-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

Standing to Speak – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/standing-to-speak-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

Witnessing Like John – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/witnessing-like-john-v3.html

(editing original again)  

edited January 20, 2015

The Teachings of Jesus – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-teachings-of-jesus-v3.html

(editing version 1 again)

edited January 21, 2013

The Teachings of Jesus – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-teachings-of-jesus-v2.html

January 18, 2009

The Teachings of Jesus

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/teachings-of-jesus.html

edited January 20, 2015

Changing the World – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/changing-world-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

Power in His Words – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/power-in-his-words-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

Fighting Evil – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/fighting-evil-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

Love Liberates – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/love-liberates-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

The Power of His Words – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-power-of-his-words-v3.html

edited January 20, 2015

Living Christ’s Words – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/living-christs-words-v3.html  

edited January 20, 2015

Not Words of Weakness – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/not-words-of-weakness-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

Hatred – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/hatred-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

Radical Words – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/radical-words-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

Understanding this moment – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/understanding-this-moment-v3.html

edited January 20, 2015

Forty Years – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/forty-years-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

Seeing Joshua – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/seeing-joshua-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

Choosing the Cross – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/choosing-cross-v3.html

(editing original again)

 edited January 20, 2015

Before Martin – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/before-martin-v3.html

edited January 20, 2015

Echoes of the Desert – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/echoes-of-desert-v4.html

(editing version 1 again)

edited April 8, 2014

Echoes of the Desert – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/04/echoes-of-desert-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

In His Ministry – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/in-his-ministry-v3.html

(editing version 1 again)

edited January 20, 2015

The Question – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-question-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

Always Torture – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/always-torture-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

The Hills of Zion – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-hills-of-zion-v3.html

(editing version 1 again)

edited January 20, 2015

Is He Joshua – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/is-he-joshua-v3.html

(edited version 1 again)

edited January 20, 2015

Lofty Words – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/lofty-words-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited January 20, 2015

understanding a moment – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/understanding-moment-v3.html

(editing version 1 again)

edited January 20, 2015

Words in Quotes – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/words-in-quotes-v3.html

(editing version 1 again)

edited January 20, 2015

Words that Bind – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/words-that-bind-v3.html

(editing version 1 again)

edited January 20, 2015

Words chosen for a nation – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/words-chosen-for-nation-v3.html

(editing version 1 again)

&

edited January 21, 2013

A Reality – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-reality-v2.html

edited January 21, 2013

His Daughters – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/his-daughters-v2.html

edited January 21, 2013

The Consequence of Witness – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-consequence-of-witness-v2.html

edited January 21, 2013

Standing to Speak – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/standing-to-speak-v2.html

edited January 21, 2013

Witnessing Like John – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/witnessing-like-john-v2.html

edited January 21, 2013

Changing the World – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/changing-world-v2.html

edited January 21, 2013

Power in His Words – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/power-in-his-words-v2.html

edited January 21, 2013

Fighting Evil – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/fighting-evil-v2.html

edited January 21, 2013

Love Liberates – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/love-liberates-v2.html

edited January 21, 2013

The Power of His Words – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-power-of-his-words-v2.html

edited January 21, 2013

Living Christ’s Words – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/living-christs-words-v2.html

edited January 21, 2013

Not Words of Weakness – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/not-words-of-weakness-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Hatred – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/hatred-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Radical Words – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/radical-words-v2.html

edited January 21, 2013

Understanding this moment – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/understanding-this-moment-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Forty Years – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/forty-years-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Seeing Joshua – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/seeing-joshua-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Choosing the Cross – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/choosing-cross-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Before Martin – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/before-martin-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Echoes of the Desert – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/echoes-of-desert-v2.html

January 21, 2013

In His Ministry – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/in-his-ministry-v2.html

January 21, 2013

The Question – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-question-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Always Torture – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/always-torture-v2.html

January 21, 2013

The Hills of Zion – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-hills-of-zion-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Is He Joshua – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/is-he-joshua-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Lofty Words – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/lofty-words-v2.html

January 21, 2013

understanding a moment – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/understanding-moment-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Words in Quotes – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/words-in-quotes-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Words that Bind – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/words-that-bind-v2.html

January 21, 2013

Words chosen for a nation – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/words-chosen-for-nation-v2.html

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

and his final speech before his assassination

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oehry1JC9Rk&feature=youtu.be

and Inauguration of the President

Barack Hussein Obama

Invocation

by Myrlie Evers-Williams

http://bcove.me/ugv9l9qy

Inaugural Address

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/president-barack-obamas-2013-inaugural-address-full-text-86497.html

&

several poems written in 2009

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/search/label/Martin%20Luther%20King

on the juxtaposition of the

80^th birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

and the inauguration of Barack Obama

as President of the United States of America

January 17, 2009

understanding a moment

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/understanding-moment.html

January 17, 2009

Words in Quotes

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/words-in-quotes.html

January 17, 2009

Words chosen for a nation

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/words-chosen-for-nation.html

January 17, 2009

Words that Bind

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/words-that-bind.html

and the Presidential Oath, from the

US Constitution, Article I, Section 1, Clause 8,

repeated verbatim by the presidents. The only language in quotes

in the Constitution, unlike the general principles elsewhere.

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully

execute the office of President of the United States,

and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend

the Constitution of the United States."

January 18, 2009

Lofty Words

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/lofty-words.html

January 18, 2009

Is He Joshua

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/is-he-joshua.html

January 18, 2009

The Hills of Zion

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/hills-of-zion.html

January 18, 2009

Always Torture

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/always-torture.html

January 18, 2009

The Question

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/question.html

January 18, 2009

In His Ministry

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/in-his-ministry.html

January 18, 2009

Echoes of the Desert

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/echoes-of-desert.html

January 18, 2009

Before Martin

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/before-martin.html

January 18, 2009

Choosing the Cross

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/choosing-cross.html

January 18, 2009

Seeing Joshua

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/seeing-joshua.html

January 18, 2009

Forty Years

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/forty-years.html

January 18, 2009

Understanding this moment

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/understanding-this-moment.html

January 18, 2009

Radical Words

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/radical-words.html

January 18, 2009

Hatred

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/hatred.html

January 18, 2009

Not Words of Weakness

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/not-words-of-weakness.html

January 18, 2009

Living Christ’s Words

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/living-christs-words.html

January 18, 2009

The Power of His Words

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/power-of-his-words.html

January 18, 2009

Love Liberates

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/love-liberates.html

January 18, 2009

Fighting Evil

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/fighting-evil.html

January 18, 2009

Power in His Words

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/power-in-his-words.html

January 18, 2009

Changing the World

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/changing-world.html

January 19, 2009

Witnessing Like John

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/witnessing-like-john.html

January 19, 2009

Standing to Speak

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/standing-to-speak.html

January 19, 2009

The Consequence of Witness

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/consequence-of-witness.html

January 19, 2009

His Daughters

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/his-daughters.html

January 19, 2009

A Reality

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/reality.html

&

the message, “It’s not just a dream but a reality”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/01/not-just-dream-reality.html

on the sign in front of church,

the story of Moses and Joshua,

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Joshua 1:1-9

along with

Micah 4:1-4

Matthew 5:43-48

the sermon, “Love Your Who???”,

by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,

Suncook United Methodist Church, Suncook, NH,

and the hypothetical put to Eric Holder, nominee for Attorney General,

by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) on the use of waterboarding,

January 15, 2009, during his Senate Confirmation Hearings,

see http://thinkprogress.org/2009/01/15/cornyn-holder-waterboard/

&

edited January 19, 2015

Changing the Wind – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/changing-wind-v3.html

(merging edits to original and version 2)

Edited July 22, 2013

“changing the wind – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/07/changing-wind-v2.html

December 7, 2007

“changing the wind”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2007/12/changing-wind.html

Based on the comments of Jim Wallis on

Speaking of Faith, November 29, 2007

http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/jimwallis/index.shtml

He was talking about whether to change politicians

or change the wind, to change the public opinion

which guides politics. He used the example

of President Johnson’s statement to the

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that it would

take 5 years for a voting rights bill but

it actually took 5 months to pass the Voting Rights Act,

after the March in Selma.

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,320+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.