Paul Robeson

That time

we all heard it,

cool and clear,

cutting across the hot grit of the day.

the major Voice.

the adult Voice

forgoing Rolling River,

forgoing tearful tale of bale and barge

and other symptoms of an old despond.

Warning, in music-words

devout and large,

that we are each other’s

harvest:

we are each other’s

business:

we are each other’s

magnitude and bond.

Gwendolyn Brooks

“Everything worthwhile is done with other people.” -Mariame Kaba

“Before you can know what kindness really is you must lose things.” -Naomi Shihab Nye