Sing, sweet Wisdom, sage of democracies, the future, the democracy 
We need, lessons learned from lives and dust striving for all voices
Heard, all creatures walking without fear, speaking, choosing freely
Work, words, paths, friends. Now is not the end of the chase 
For equality, nor the end of the ends of justice, but the beginning of life 
living one with another, kin, acquaintances, strangers, alike and unlike, 
Together, sisters, brothers, differences no matter, just a shrug and a smile, 
a drink and a meal, a short walk shared before we die.

A long way off, that vision, from today, but closer because each day
The lessons we learn pass to the future, mistakes etched 
In the sidewalks of time, and we, at last, one day, long gone ourselves,
Will see, we hope, those who come after thriving in a life, democracy		
On the left, right, wrong, center.  Who better to benefit from all this pain
Than those for whom we leave the door ajar, a light to show the way in
and the way out, so they can find the way we tried but failed to find, 
The better way for all, each, together, one, that one strong dream life dreamed.

Wisdom, far off, please come to us, show us words we can use, words 
That point toward worlds anointed with what we need, strength 
With kindness, words that grab us and shove us where we need to go, 
That path we desperately need, both those who love and those who hate, 
to make the hatred go, to make love grow, to make the trail with less tears 
traveled.  We must tear apart the differences between us and mend
With differences again. I grasp this empty air, and breathe it out the same.
Without you, Wisdom, I speak these empty words, waiting.

Without you, Wisdom, we cannot move these hard times, yet hard pressed 
We have no choice but push, forward, best foot first, best we can, hard,
Determined, tender heart within, a fist that strikes for all without striking any.
We have seen and learned that giving pain is no good start. Yet
The doors that block our way, some of us needing in, some needing out, some both,
must open or be torn, unhinged or forced, our tender heart with unrelenting
Tenderness and power, vulnerable and strong, a kind King for good trouble. 
The seeds we plant bring the crops we eat, and no good food is pain but kindness.

Good choices we need, each one of us, and all of us together, 
to thrive, to live our lives individually and best together, best selves
chosen by choices chosen ourselves, our common destinies intertwined
By what is best for me, you, us, them, all, exceptions by necessity
Being those for whom democracy is against. No hymn is sung,
No painting painted, no word hung on the ear of one who could not hear
Or see or understand, but there will always be those who cannot
Fathom the reasons for democracy, or choose against it.

Democracy needs to make good choices to survive threats from outside
And within. A democracy that chooses unwisely will not last, so it must learn
From the past, must carry lessons forward, failures and success, written 
For futures to discern the choices it can make and mistakes it can unchoose. 
This democracy today is young and feeble. In the history of democracies we 
Are still in infancy, diapers, unlearned and without experience. Our faults 
Are beyond counting. The futures will see our feeble stumbling progress 
And be amazed at how we mixed beautiful ideals with grotesque cruelties.

Good neighbors think as two turned one and refuse a choice that fails to bring both joy. 
For what gift is better to give one’s other self than joy? Compromise is second best, 
At best mediocre, necessary only if our cleverness fails, or determination slackens, 
Or if our oneness with others falls to double standard. Democracy thrives when its spirit 
Strives through difficulty, and fails when we fail to pursue the best for both 
Our neighbor and ourselves. Honoring our neighbor’s needs, our needs honored in return, 
What brings greater joy each day than living with friends. On the other hand, 
Choices that divide us, divide democracy. A democracy made of one, no democracy is. 

Too hard, you say, too hard. I agree, too hard. The everyday irritations, the normal human 
annoyances that grate and wreck our nerves, even when nothing mean intended.
How can two become one, when one is always irritating, arrogant, condescending, mean?
Impossible. Not realistic. And of course, how could I disagree and say otherwise? Yet 
the spirit of democracy gives us this good direction, a better place that we can, at least, imagine:
A democracy that truly embodies the spirit of democracy, that honors the needs 
Of one another, that embraces working together, hard, to make sure all our needs are met,
With enough freedom to pursue our desires, knowing our neighbor has our back.