Not This Time

Inspired by words from Barack Obama
Prose by Dave Schipper © 2008 Rose Riversongs

Words cannot mend a broken country
Where men died for their freedom
And then looked past those in slavery.

Scars of past humiliation are real.
Wounds either overlooked or used
By both sides with too vile zeal.

Not this time, hear us cry, Not this time
Let’s silence the cynics
Be our brother’s keeper
Fix schools, homes and clinics
Hear us Cry, Not this Time, Not This Time

Promised words on a parchment
Helped focus our path to justice
But we the people are impatient.

Imperfect as we are, we are family.
Farmers, artists, statesmen, doctors
We can’t disown our community.

Yes this time, hear us cry, Yes this time
We can embrace our past
Without being a victim
And forge a peace at last
Hear us Cry, Yes this Time, Yes This Time

He, She, Us, Them....

He walked the six steps and opened the door.
The entry through the garage, normal fare.
Left, right, he surveyed hoping to explore.
The feel of money, he’s nothing to compare.

He stands erect, with his best clothes on
The entry is full of hosts, guests, and family
Left, right, he looked for one to latch on
The feel of belonging, he needed commonly.

He reached out, eyes engaged, hand outstretched
The entry complete to some observant’s eye
Left, right, he looked for friends confirmed
The feel he’s succeeded is gusto denied

He turned away, knowing his vote is gone
The entry is nothing for some, but not him
Left, right, he looked designated pawn.
To feel he’s succeeded not now but then.

…. Or maybe it was she.?

Peace to the Democrats… They waged the war of the neglected person and the neglected Super Delegate; now they need to wage war of confidence and reconciliation. Pray for them.

Dave

Inauguration Day

by Dave Schipper (c) 2009 Rose Riversongs


Their faces were all brimming
A melting pot over flowing
Historic, significant, incredible
No one grand word was possible.

They trekked from all over
States covering all corners
Just to see an oath taken
And watch barriers broken.

“Like winning a humanity lottery”
“And here she is: Living History”
“I remember separate water fountains”
“My boss approved my vacation”

All the stories set the scene
Filling streets as well as dreams
Tuesday, a new history begins
This country; never the same again.

Thanks to Olivia Barker’s article in the USA Today on 1/14/09 and the respective quotes from Dimitag Sullivan, Jaunita Blackshear, Saundra Kin, and Nasha Wanza.

My Inaugration Prayer

People who believe that they are descendants of Abraham dominate this world; if we agree on that, why can't we agree on more?

In this mixed up world, it's not that we just disagree but there is out right anger even within each other's faith. My hope is that with this new President we start finding peace on our same table, and then we start getting up and talking to people at the other tables. We'll stop acting like middleschoolers; and we'll start acting like adults, and admiring the gifts that God has blessed us with rather that the differences we share.

Somewhere Yahweh will be happy with his children, and stop his weeping. Deserts will be fertile with love, and streets will be filled with common sense.

We will treasure each other gay and anti-gay as an expression of our brutal & realistic human nature. Any misguided anger will be crushed by a hug from a nine year old, or the whisper from a ninety year old.

I dream we will be stronger. Yes, I believe there is hope; and I pray God gives Obama the strength to be pragmatic to offer this poor sinner an opportunity to talk at this precious time.

God bless us, and make us stronger lovers.

Peace. Dave

Hues of Freedom

Hues by Dave Schipper © 2008 Rose Riversongs


I see the rich deep hues of tonal blends.
Not just black and white, more grayscale.
I work to select words that don’t offend.
‘Cause friends like alliances are fragile.

So when I see my supporters line up
I see parasitic lawyers and agendas.
The homeless with their empty cup.
Gays, gray hairs, and young all blended.

I’m no different than others who love
I embrace my wife, my child, and my friends.
I live in the country all dream of.
So it’s hard to live and to pretend.

We need to stop pandering to ourselves.
To do the right thing, you’re unelectable.
Pick the words from the book on the shelf.
Smile, shake hands with the agreeable.

Life will go on if I’m not the victor
It has and it will; a great guarantee.
The hues of freedoms in tone richer
Because this land is made for you and me.