manifesto

We’ve been trained

these many years

not to ask for much —

That we don’t deserve —

That we have no right to expect

daily abundance and joy

That to receive it

we must earn it

through great toil and sacrifice

Worse than that

we’re taught that it’s OK

to wish to have, to win

to rape, to dominate

to blindly flail, mindlessly mouth

the words of hate

That if we strive to beat each other

we’ll be great

So it is

that the first revolution

is within

To see we have the right

to be at peace

to have a world designed to bless

where each of us can know 

that we deserve

to have our lives be cherished 
    recognized as gifts

not weighed for what they pay 
    and then perhaps begrudgingly allowed

And as we give this to each other

we will learn

how it is done

how we can sculpt a greater vision

so we know what’s to be won

and then we’ll march unhesitating

shining whole before we’re through

for the sake of billions waiting

standing strong because we’re true.

©Wendy Mulhern

October 15, 2011