From: "Rodney Coates" To: "Racial-Religious-EthnoNationalist Violence Studies" Date: Thu, 18 Jul 96 17:05:20 +0 Reply-To: "Rodney Coates" Subject: Silent Storms Silent Storm rodney c///96 Waking from this slumber of dearth Distrust and envy, pain and angst. Breathing newly freedom's air. Standing for righteousness sake. Its not unusual, strange or criminal to love a stranger, help another. The way of life, the way of survival dictates we cross the bridge, see the other. Heeding life's song, one with eternity. Seeking sainted paths, running the eagles race. Smelling concern's fragrance, lifting the mantle of peace. Sifting the souls of all, reaping the harvest of love. If you hear me in my sleep will you listen or just ignore? Will you be my friend, can we talk? When you cry, will I know? Stranded on islands of hope and love. Bridged together through lines of trust. Silent partners waiting the day when truth prevails and dreams fulfilled. Unasked questions, savage nothings, desires unheeded. Invisible parameters hide, solitude, the needs. Fearful of the answers, pointed silence prevails. Fantastic chambers in the sky, rainbows pale blue. Time endures all save apathy, listen to the wind when it told of another day, some other way. Love renewed, lets start by honoring life. Songs of now, laughter heals the broken life Sing to me a song of hope, write of love Heal the wounds, cure the soul of broken promises Sooth away daymares tears and nightmare chills. Deconstruct the hateful walls, destroy the place of rage. Tempestuous selfless acts of humaneness, washing away the blues. Wading in streams of togetherness, extending hands of trust. Powerful bonds, building for a new tomorrow. Silent storms coming soon, carrying messages all will know. umoja Only when lions have historians will hunters cease being heroes. African Proverb Without struggle there is no progress. Frederick Douglass The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed. Steven Biko yours in the struggle Rodney D. Coates Director of Black World Studies Associate Professor of Sociology Miami University Oxford, Ohio 45056 513 529-1235 email: coatesrd@casmail.muohio.edu