Here I stand on my side
of the raging river
of difference, of division.
There you stand on yours.
The uproar from the rush
of trouble drowns any hope
of us hearing one other,
even as we both call out
what we think we know,
what we want to change.
How will we ever cross
this chasm between us?
What words could build a bridge
the ways things are now?
Wait, maybe this!
Search your heart.
Choose a sacred memory.
Hold it out to me;
I will hand you one of mine.
Let our listening be the rope
that ties our lives together.
This bridge will hold us!
We can meet in the middle.
It is long past time.