Attend to those who are silenced,
seen and not heard,
told “Don’t cry,”
threatened into muteness.
Listen to the pain we can’s stand
the story we don’t want to hear,
the truth we avoid.
We who hold the microphone
will do well to be quiet
and hear the voice of the silenced,
and give the oppressed an audience.
Justice cries out;
righteousness listens,
and hears the voice of God.
—January 16, 2019