Poetry

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Rise Up
A poem to Gary, Indiana
By Dan Blankenship
© 2006 Dan Blankenship

I just wanted to drop you a line
A few words of encouragement, if you will
I’m not going to tell you things are fine
I know they’re not
You’re a city that has known greatness
Of that, most have not forgot
But success is not a constant wave
And even the greatest kingdoms
Well, their foundations cave
But even a city pulsating with tragedy
A city such as this
There is a remedy
Structure for change and stability
Hunkered down among the masses
People of humility
City-dwellers with the courage to care enough
Love enough
And work enough
Foundations can be rebuilt
Kingdoms can once again rise up
Tossing aside blame and guilt
But it will take more than words
More than money
More than one leader
It will take a city
A city ready for change
Ready for renewal
And the architect of change is character
Its subcontractor, integrity
No, Gary you are far from destroyed
For in the midst of chaos and fear
There are those whose hope is employed
They see change on the horizon
And I see it too
That’s the reason, Gary
That I’ve written this poem to you

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