Voices

Who are you?
And the chorus of voices answered,
I am man, woman, freeman, servant
I am rich, poor, white, black, brown
I am good, bad, happy, sad
I am an American.

What do you want?
To be free, safe, taken care of, protected
My leader to lead,
My party to win,
To take control
Make my own choices.

Why ask this of ME?
You are the Lord
The all powerful
Your son said,
”Ask that it may be given.”
I am afraid of what men can do to men.

Your forefathers came to me before
Asking for freedom from oppression
And like the Hebrew tribes I answered
Only to find them returned to structures of the past
They love their chains
Have you learned nothing?

I am only one man, Lord
My voice carries not far
My body is weak and tired
But please hear me, Lord
Many men have made mistakes
They have shown their confusion
They struggle with uncertainty
Fearing all they cannot control
Their eyes are clouded
Their ears filled with wax
But all know in their hearts
There is a light leading to tomorrow
Only you are that light
You who gave your son for us.