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Reconstructing Democracy
Notes from history unfolding, Sept. 9., 2020 Democracyby Langston Hughes Democracy will not comeToday, this yearNor everThrough compromise and fear.I have as much rightAs the other fellow hasTo standOn my two feetAnd own the land.I tire so of hearing people say,Let things take their course.Tomorrow is another day.I do not need my freedom when I’m…
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Black Lives Matter: A Prayer
Inspired by Yehudah Amichai z”l and Rabbi Rachel Barenblat. In memory of Mike Brown Eric Garner, and many, many others recited as part of a Pilgrimage of Lament. Author(s): Menachem Creditor Berkeley, CA 12/14/14 We stand before you because we must. We stand before You because truths that should be self-evident are not so evident…
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Masaccio’s Holy Trinity
“o fu gia quel che voi siete e quel chio son voi anco sarete/I once was what you are and what I am you also will be.” ~engraved on the wall of the Holy Trinity fresco in the Dominican church of Santa Maria Novella, in Florence, Italy. “The Holy Trinity, with the Virgin and Saint…
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Invictus
by William Ernest Henley Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this…
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The springtime of lovers has come
The springtime of lovers has come, that this dust bowl may become a garden; the proclamation of heaven has come, that the bird of the soul may rise in flight. The sea becomes full of pearls, the salt marsh becomes sweet as kauthar, the stone becomes a ruby from the mine, the body becomes wholly…
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On Awakening
God, please direct my thinking, especially move it from self-pity, dishonest and self-seeking motives. As I go through the day and face indecision, please give me an inspiration, an intuitive thought, or a decision. Make me relax and take it easy; don’t let me struggle. Let me rely upon Your inspiration, intuitive thoughts, and decision…
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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
As set forth by the United Nations: PREAMBLE Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the…
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Do not seek too much fame…
Do not seek too much fame,but do not seek obscurity.Be proud.But do not remind the world of your deeds.Excel when you must,but do not excel the world.Many heroes are not yet born,many have already died.To be alive to hear this song is a victory. ~West African song
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The Tiger by William Blake
Tiger! Tiger! burning bright In the forest of the night What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare seize the fire? And What shoulder, and what art, Could twist the sinews…