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Birmingham and Beyond

shepherds of the Lord demand unity
a voice through the written word came to say
tied to a lone garment of destiny

an eloquent plea for equality
scraps of paper led us to change and prayer
shepherds of the Lord demand unity

from a mountaintop we could see clearly
and what we saw brought us here today
tied to a lone garment of destiny

a clergy of scorn spurred our majesty
freedom penned within a Birmingham jail
shepherds of the Lord demand unity

through clubs, through canines, through fire hoses, we
stood audacious and forever became
tied to a lone garment of destiny

hatred set our minds and millions more free
as our children now enter the foray
shepherds of the Lord demand unity
tied to a lone garment of destiny

Copyright © Ricky Muse | Year Posted 2017

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James Inman Date: 6/22/2024 8:35:00 AM I've read several of your poems Ricky and all have impressed me. I don't have much time to visit the Soup anymore, or to write but I'm glad I chose yours to read. Login to Reply Ricky Muse Date: 6/22/2024 4:42:00 PM James I recently self-published my first book of poetry over at Amazon.com entitled "Prosopography In Blue". Please consider adding my book to your collection. Be blessed...........peace! Ricky Muse Date: 6/22/2024 11:57:00 AM Thank you my friend. Your input means a lot to me. All the best.........................peace!

Line Gauthier Date: 2/13/2021 8:56:00 PM A pleasure to find your beautiful poem published in the 2020 PS Anthology, Ricky~ Login to Reply Ricky Muse Date: 3/17/2021 12:35:00 AM Thank you Line. It's an honor to be recognized.

Paul Callus Date: 10/5/2017 10:19:00 AM This expressive poem brings to mind the days of protests based on nonviolence, Christian love, and ML King. Regards // paul Login to Reply Ricky Muse Date: 10/5/2017 7:47:00 PM Most of the poems I write deal directly with my personal life but every now and then poems like this ooze out of me. Thanks for your support Paul. I really appreciate it.....................peace!

Patricia Cresswell Date: 9/26/2017 4:44:00 PM Richard I don't not know the incident the spurred this write but Its tone reminds of the time that unions were beginning. The poor marching into hell at the hands of bullies who worked for the factories and business. The church speaking out against joining calling it a mortal sin. Although I may be way off on the cause for this poem. It lit old fires. Login to Reply Patricia Cresswell Date: 9/26/2017 10:02:00 PM It s a good poem should feel good. Ricky Muse Date: 9/26/2017 6:30:00 PM This poem was inspired by the civil rights movement of the 1960's. It felt good to write this poem. Thanks for your support Pat.................peace!