We see you. We hear you. We stand beside you.
But now, in spirit, bowed down
by age, and illness, and disability
we no longer meet you at the march in body.
The feet and legs no longer allow
standing on the corners, hugging the curbs,
marching along with you one-by-one.
The hands and arms no longer allow
lifting the sign, carrying messages aloft,
marching along with you one-by-one.
We can still lift a pen, still lift a brush.
We know it is not nearly enough
to calm the heart, comfort the soul
or change a stiff and unrelenting mind.
It is enough to calm, comfort and awaken
our weakened, weary, warrior selves.
We send our spirits to stand beside you
as you march along one-by-one.
We can remind you and all who watch
that more stand with you than they can see.
You are not alone
as you march to keep us free.
annarino writes 