Precious Stone



Precious Stone

"Cultures throughout history have regarded stones as precious objects…Granite is believed to help your health, energy and overall situation. [It] is associated with strength, and can be worn as a talisman…"

Approach the circular table,
Look closely at the stillness,
At what the water, barely rippling
In the gentle Montgomery breeze,
Allows you to read in the etchings,
Revealing viciousness in our battle,
Ever ongoing, against hatred and racism.

His name is there,
That of the "dark villain,"
That of the innocent teenager
Abducted, tortured, lynched
In Mississippi for speaking to a white woman--

28 AUG 1955  EMMETT LOUIS TILL

Their names are there,
Those of young girls in church,
Those dressed in their Sunday best
Seemingly safe in the house of the Lord,
Until a bomb exploded and innocence died--

15 SEPT 1963 ADDIE MAE COLLINS, DENISE MCNAIR, 
                        CAROLE ROBERTSON, CYNTHIA WESLEY

His name is there,
That of another innocent boy,
That of a 13-year old,
Shot in Birmingham amid the terror,
Amid the shock, of a bomb blast--

15 SEPT 1963 VIRGIL LAMAR WARE

Their names are there,
Those of men and women,
Those black and white,
Ordinary and courageous, fighting
In Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana for equality--

Around the circle, 1950s AND 1960s,
MEDGAR WILEY EVERS, JAMES JOSEPH REEB,
VIOLA FAUVER LUIZZI, MARTIN LUTHER KING

And so many other martyrs,
Seventy four more no in the circle,
Whose documentation was weak,
Though the belief strong, nevertheless,
That they, too, suffered dearly for the movement.

Step back now, catch your breath.
Take in 40 feet of black granite wall backing the table,
Echoing Amos, echoing King:
"...until justice rolls down like waters and
righteousness like a mighty stream."

Feel the power of the stone.
Feel their energy, their strength.
Feel their hope.


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