Courage
is peacefully protesting
for the rights of others,
is peacefully protesting
for the rights of others,
even when it draws the ire
of the oppressors.
of the oppressors.
Courage
is speaking up
against racism and injustice,
when others in the room
are silent.
is speaking up
against racism and injustice,
when others in the room
are silent.
Courage
is never giving up
our insistance on
democracy and human rights,
even as masked agents
disappear people
right before our eyes.
is never giving up
our insistance on
democracy and human rights,
even as masked agents
disappear people
right before our eyes.
Courage
is feeling the fear,
seeing the militarized and brutal forces
lined up against you,
donning your frog costume
and dancing your froggy dance.
is feeling the fear,
seeing the militarized and brutal forces
lined up against you,
donning your frog costume
and dancing your froggy dance.
Portland's brilliant response
to the arrival of trump-sent militia in their city.
to the arrival of trump-sent militia in their city.
All good examples of courage, Sherry. I loved Portland's courageous response, which inspired others to do in kind!
ReplyDeleteYes, it needs special courage to stand up for what one believes in despite all odds...despite silence... well said, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteI love the 'never giving up' spirit in all the examples. The last stanza is spot on.
ReplyDeleteWow! Way to go portland. Why frogs though?
ReplyDeleteA person in a frog costume was the first to stand before the militarized "police", and that caught on till hundreds more joined him. The police didnt know what to make of that response. It was brilliant.
DeleteYes and yes, and yes. Wonderfully captured catalogue of what courage is these days! (I never think of the ones we protest against having courage--they can more easily join us and feel what courage is like. Make courage unnecessary.)
ReplyDeleteYes I feel the strength of this courage Its exactly what courage is. And how brave that woman at the top They wanted to start fracking here as well but our council declared us a fracking free zone Yeah and I love the frog It is so unarming
ReplyDeleteA beautifully composed and measured account of all who try to make change - Jae
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said, Sherry! Courage really needs a strong voice and being brave enough to do what your conscience dictates, even if you are afraid of doing precisely that!
ReplyDeleteThat Portland photo looks like AI! I bet the costume shops were happy that week!
ReplyDeleteI love your examples of courage, Sherry. Fear and oppression only win when we give up and stop speaking up. And that photo is surreal when you think about the ICE agents in their plainclothes costumes.
ReplyDeleteLove creative courage in frog suits....way to go !
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