let's go higher

dear friend

you and i
are heading up
a beautiful staircase

as we explore
and create
solutions together

makes me think
of the song

love lift us up
where we belong

the road is long

there are mountains
in our way

but we climb
a step
every day

beauty

it may seem odd
to speak of beauty

in the midst
of this painful
and ominous winter

but
i can think of nothing
more beautiful

than
our courageous compatriots
in minneapolis

those servant leaders
living out
the merciful command

you shall love your neighbor as yourself

let us pause

and join
bruce springsteen

in honoring them

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDaPdpwA4Iw

how did these souls grow

i ask

how did they grow
into

such
strong and true defenders
of their neighbors

how can
we
begin to grow

to become
more like them

connection

i believe
they grew
by connecting

they grew
by talking
with each other

by getting together
in person

and sharing

their hopes
their beliefs
their principles

they found
kindred spirits

right there
in their own
neighborhoods

they found other souls
who were appalled
by injustice

other souls
who were angered
and disgusted

by the murder
of george floyd

the horrendous act
that had
been perpetrated

right there
in minneapolis

black brown and white
neighbors and newcomers

took to the streets
together

and said NO

they joined together
to forcefully declare

NO

this cruelty is not
all right with us

so

when
ICE came to town

thinking they could
bully and intimidate

the people
of minneapolis

and round up
abuse and lock up
their neighbors

to meet
miller’s obscene
deportation quotas

the freedom loving people
of minneapolis
were already well connected

and swiftly
reconnected

to again
declare NO

this cruelty and tyranny
is not
all right with us

and

we won’t LET you do it

thousands organized
and trained each other

to serve
feed
and protect their neighbors

from the violent predations
of ICE

what does this tell us

it tells us
we need to connect
with our neighbors

we need
to get close
with others

not just online
but in person

right in
our own neighborhood

get close
and talk

with others who see
what is happening

we don’t know
how soon
we will need each other

it may not be
in a confrontation

but we already
need them
for moral support

you and i
right now

need to start connecting
in person

with nearby persons
of good will

red or blue

who believe
in justice

who believe
in mercy

who believe
in the american dream
for all

this is how
we can begin
to emulate

our brave compatriots
in minneapolis

and lay our own
strong foundation

to weather together
whatever storms
may come

i wish

i wish
i could

come and talk
with you
in person

about how
we can all

begin to get closer
with each other

i am not
an organizer

but i am
a connector

we’d have a coffee
together

and i would ask
how it is
for you

in this serious
winter of 26

i would ask you
your hopes
and fears

for yourself
and for our country

in the months
and years ahead

i would hear
what you think
is needed

for freedom
to prevail
in our land

but since i can’t

come there in person

i am going
to do

the next best thing
i can think of

which is
to add

a new dimension
to our connection

starting
next friday

you will not only
be able to read me

you will
be able to hear me

my letter will arrive
with the addition
of a podcast
(also free)

if you decide
to tune in

you will hear
my smiling voice

as if
i am right there
in the room with you

talking
directly

from my heart
to yours

who knows

if you
will prefer

the written
the audio

or neither haha

in any case
i will welcome
your responses

so my friend

let’s you and me
continue
to grow stronger

as we climb
that beautiful staircase
together

let’s go higher

let’s get
up where we belong

creating
new connections

with
our neighbors

so we can build
support
and protect each other

and our precious freedom

Blessings,

Dr. Hall