by Michael Charles Maibach

They stand before their rulers,
With backs against the Wall.
All they ask is “freedom”,
The eternal human call.

They stand before their rulers,
Asking but to speak.
Endowed by their Creator
Who champions the meek.

They stand before their rulers,
Asking to be seen.
As citizens – not serfs –
Their rights they seek to glean.

They stand before their rulers,
Asking to be known.
The dignity of person,
Grant solo flights be flown.

They stand before their rulers –
Who anointed them?
Where has it been written,
In parchment, or in hymn?

They stand before their rulers,
Demanding rights of creed.
The God of their Salvation
Stands for virtue, not for greed.

They stand before their rulers,
The day will come, for sure.
When ruling will be over,
And freedom’s light endures.

Until the light emerges
From the darkness of the fist,
We pray for captive people
Atop our own prayer list.

Until the light emerges,
From grasp of the State’s snare,
We pray for news of freedom,
Let its light shine over there!

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Recognized as an Honorable Mention in the adult category of FoFG’s 2018 Poetry Contest