I was there 
Among thousands. 
The words rang. 
Down 
   through the ages, 
   from the 
Sea of Reeds. 
Across 
   the Rivers of Babylon,
The Mississippi,
The Potomac,
Rippling through 
  the Reflecting Pool.

The ancient call,
The present ache,
For freedom,
For justice,
For our children
   to learn hatred and war
NO MORE. NO MORE.

The Promised Land
  still a dream.
How many more Seas 
   must we navigate?
How many more Rivers
   must we cross?
NO MORE. NO MORE.

©2023Martha Hurwitz