Stay Human

 For Vittorio Arrigoni

 For those on the Freedom Flotilla II—Stay Human   

delivered at the Rally on July 5, 2011

in front of the Israeli Consulate in Chicago

With love, sisters and brothers

in Gaza and throughout the occupied territories,

you are not alone

we are with you in Spirit

we will stay the course

demand your liberty

Courage, sisters and brothers

sitting in jail cells in Greece

you are not alone

we are with you in Spirit

we will join your fast for justice

we will stay the course

demand your freedom to sail

Stay human even if they…

even when they…

or if they…

We too will stay human

even when we want to lash out

in horror or violence

We will stay human

even when we are talking

to our bought off or silenced elected officials

we will stay the course

We will stay human

even when they say

“You asked for it,

“We told you not to…”

“You are being “irresponsible

 and provocative”

Calling for freedom is always provocative

always has been

always will be

We will stay human, all of us,

by being audacious with our hope

by living in the pink

even while under attack

deported, censored,

ignored or subpoenaed

we will stay human, all of us

Sisters and brothers

in Gaza

you are not alone

sisters and brothers

on the flotilla

you are not alone

we are in this together

we will stay the course

we are here fighting

with you in one spirit 

until the blockade is broken

the siege ended

all the people free