A Speech Poem by Day Williams

A Speech

Let me say how I see myself:
You'll know me better than before.
I ask for your indulgence;
Don't grab your coat and push the door.

I've lived in places ‘round the world
And given viewpoints careful thought.
I feel a good way to begin
Is to inform you what I'm not.

If I said I'm a Communist,
You'd listen with an open mind.
They say they're for equality
And that objective fits your lines.

And if I told you I was gay,
You might say you are liberal, too.
What other people do in rooms
Doesn't matter much to you.

If I said I'm in real estate,
Had made a fortune from my plan,
You'd stick around to hear the spiel,
So you'd get rich quick, too, on land.

And if I talked of hatred of
Folks for the color of their skins,
I bet that some would listen,
Hoping racial hate would win.

If I said I loved drugs and sex,
You might want to join in my game.
You might be one to go along,
Neglecting health, neglecting shame.

And if I said my skin was green
Or blue, or gender was unknown,
And wanted crayons and safe space,
You'd follow me across time zones.

So when I say that I'm a Christian
I wonder why you close your ears.
Why do you close your "open mind"
And flood your mind and heart with fears?

I only said I was a Christian.
I didn't poke you in the face,
I didn't hit you with a Bible
Or occupy your private space.

I only want to tell you I
Believe in Christ, Christ crucified,
His body buried in a guarded tomb
While men lost heart and women cried.

That man came back to life again
And ate a fish and honeycomb.
He gave disciples more commands,
Ascended to his holy home.

You might say it's a fairy tale,
That there's no life once people die;
If you can prove He didn't rise,
Then I will bid my faith good-bye.

You hear about hypocrisy,
Not of the good works of the Lord:
How people's lives have changed for good,
How people are revived, restored.

No, you will hear about the troubles−
That is what makes the stories sell.
You'll seldom see them cover it
If God has made a crushed man well.

The Gospel's name means it's Good News,
News of salvation and God's light.
God's Good News is His love for you...
Thank you for listening tonight.