Reflections From Prison
                                    by Erik Johnson


                             Enduring Walk For Peace


Stillness
Sacred Earth rises
In a moment's breath
              early morning star
                            traces the cheeks of the land
Spirit whispers
Dawn people round for life 
            new day unfolding
            beckoning
                        You! Sisters! Brothers! Children!
                                    to noble purpose
                                    to walk
                                                 for peace
                                                  in solidarity 
Poised with hope
             the confident lean forward
             step onto a path from the heart
             exhale in gratitude 
Swift feet over swift feet
           following the season's cadence
                       of people of faith
                                   martyred for their radical devotion to truth
                                   imprisoned for their nonviolent acts of love and conscience
                                   converge to close the School of Americas,
                                        to end the U.S. reign of terror against our Latin American
                                        sisters and brothers struggling for human rights Presente!
Hark!
Swift feet rain over swift feet, the resonance of justice
                                    walking in many places 
                                    living on the wind 
                                    chanting prayers
                                    salving gently the woundedness
                                                                                       of Earth
                                                                                       of all beings
Floating drumbeats weave the seamless band
             of walkers
             each a syllable of peace
                           harmoniously imprinting a trail of love
                           crossing all boundaries 
Onlookers startled 
            heads pivot
             gaze upon your serene presence
             your radiance
             your courage
             your trail of searching questions
             your spirit and practice of nonviolence
             your sacred choice to walk
                          with truth as constant companion
             your journey waxing stronger step by step
                                     Wonderment grows 
Stillness
Tickled by soft sounds of drums and prayers 
Evening tide 
People circle round for life
              tired into joy
              quietly folding away the day as it has been
              sighs of gratitude
                            renewed with hope that the walk advanced
                            the excitement of a vision promised
               when
                                        "the laughter of children will be heard in the world"
                                        "justice and peace will kiss each other" 
                                        "swords will be beaten into plowshares"
                                        "people will learn war no more" 
Indeed 
Violence will be turned back away from
             all our suffering brothers and sisters 
             Never again! jNo mas!
                          by the grace of God 
                          God of justice 
                          God of enduring love 
                          God known in many ways
Walk forward
             for the transformation and healing of the nations 
Yours is the gift of endurance by God's grace 
Vaya con Dios
            God goes the Way with you

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