Alice Walker

Word Reaches Us

Word reaches us
 
that you are sleeping, sleeping.
 
Dismayed
 
we have turned to the sea.
 
We encounter among others
 
walking there
 
a sense of what we have lost:
 
the broad expanse of humanity’s
 
sensitivity to the oneness of itself.
 
Gabrielle,
 
while you sleep, resting your nimble
 
brain, we think of walking with you
 
in the valley
 
of the shadow of death; holding
 
you up.
 
We hope you can feel our grief;
 
our sorrow vast
 
like the ocean that draws us.
 
We know in this moment you teach us many things:
 
how all across the world
 
there is no one who deserves this fate.
 
We know we must bleach and sterilize our
 
tongues,
 
brighten with understanding
 
all our dark thoughts.
 
Sister, whom I never met
 
except in this pain that has so
 
wounded you
 
thank you for reminding us
 
through your suffering
 
and your suspenseful sleep
 
that we must change.
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