church

Memory, dream, desire -
they’re all the same to me.
Vision of what is to come,
or fantasy of what will never be.

A feast, a frenzy, a festival
of all shapes, colors and sizes.
Union of difference,
not merger or sameness.

His and Her voices all harmonizing
not raping, oppressing or demonizing.
A chorus of voices,
not dominating solos.

A mutual meeting of needs
where one is not set over, above, apart.
Freely giving out of abundance
not obligatory guilt.

A baptism of ethnicity and commitment
fostered by the call of the Spirit
who comes to all, is for all, is with all.
The humble sign of our commonality.

A shared burden, load, task
to be the face of God to the world.
A family void of sibling rivalry,
each has a place of honor in the field.

Conflict is a necessity for growth.
It reveals as it is processed.
The chaos of difference
and the beauty of struggle.

Memory, dream, desire -
they’re all the same to me.
Vision of what is to come
or fantasy of what will never be.