Bill McNulty

Think about the voices that you can hear.
A lyrical sound that’s music in your ear.
Voices on TV repeating the daily news.
Voices everywhere sharing their views.
Some always bringing you good cheer.
Others know how to strike and stoke fear.
The news of death always brings you a tear.
Can’t wait for a certain DC voice to disappear.
Today’s voices say enough, shout and protest.
The signs continue to work and march with no rest.
The ails of today’s world needs miracles and cures.
Maybe the next voice that should be heard is yours.

And if God has any miracles left to share,
We pray for one until our soul is left bare.
And if God has that miracle, what can it be?
Can it be that all his people are really free?
And if God has that miracle, what’s your choice?
Hatred will be gone and never heard in any voice.
And if God has a miracle, what would you pray for?
For all to have the opportunity to open any door.
We pray for the body and soul to heal and be well.
Is there one more miracle that the future will foretell
The loving miracle that we need may already be here
Now, it’s up to all of us to make that miracle appear.

Have you ever laid in bed and dreamed of what could be,
Have you ever dreamed of all the places you would like to see?
Have you ever dreamed of all the things you want to say.
Have you ever dreamed of all the sports you wanted to play.
Have you ever dreamed how you could enjoy a fresh spring.
Have you ever dreamed of a special song you want to sing.
Have you ever dreamed of a great karaoke performance?
Have you ever dreamed of holding your girl in a slow dance?
Have you ever dreamed of winning the Mega millions lottery?
Have you ever dreamed that those you love, could be worry free?
Have you ever dreamed of a bakery with so many pies to choose?
And then you dream of all the weight you would have to lose.
Dreams can become nightmares which appear so dark
Dreams can inspire and offer a creative spark.
Have you ever dreamed of a dreamless sleep?
Truly at peace with only good memories to keep

There are dreams and plans that we all seem to make.
When inspired, they are there as soon as we awake.
Dreams should always be filled with promise
Not always accepting the world as it is.
Working for change as it is needed today.
When prayer is needed, stop and pray.
Have courage to take the first step on your quest.
Have hope that you will always be doing your best.
Knowing that change will not happen until,
You accept that promise is yours to fulfil.

Why are we compelled to label everything?
Even knowing the consequences, they bring.
Black skin, brown skin, white skin, red skin,
Sometimes those differences are razor thin.
A generational label places you in a decade.
Questions about  hiring decision that are made?
The political different labels are now a mile wide.
All so we can determine if you are on the right side.
LGBT, religion, gender, color, is that all that we can be?
If there are no longer any labels, would we be set free?
No longer would anyone be labeled as subpar.
Why can’t we accept people just as they are?

Before I post this verse, some thoughts to share.  As I approach the
age of 80 with bad knees, marching in protest is no longer an option.
I would like to believe that this guy at age 20 would have been on the
streets of Chicago with everyone else.  I never expect my poems to make
a difference with anyone but it is amazing how much lighter that I feel
after  I post verses that are created to make you think about recent events.

The same message we hear time and again.
What will change this time and when?
Guns and shooting kids, when will change come around.
So many city streets that have become a battleground.
A new crisis in every single headline that we hear.
Lately, a worldwide pandemic that we all must fear.
Black Lives Matter is the strong message delivered today.
From that path and belief, our world must never stray.
That same message, you must hear time and again.
Now is the time and now is certainly the when.