Standing Shoulder To Shoulder Poem by Jyoti Wind

Can you stand shoulder to shoulder
with those whose voices are needed now.
Can you allow the words that whirl
around in your head to have a way out.

Can you open your mouth, pick up your pen,
screw up your courage and walk to the line
upon which rests no less than humanity’s survival.
Can you let your own voice be heard now.

Can you form the words so long held in,
in that place of despair or self-doubt,
and let your vocal chords and your pen fly
or your keys tap out the nature of your piece,

the very piece you hold in the place of now,
now at this time as we face an unknown future,
a time that holds grays and maybes and fear.
Can you lend us your thoughts and stand up.

Can you speak and write and tell us what thoughts
have been keeping you up all night
and reach into your dreams and scare you awake.
Can you let us know what’s next.

Can you stand shoulder to shoulder
with those whose voices are needed now.
Can you allow the words that whirl
around in your head to have a way out.