Poem August 13, 1966 Issue

FACE TO FACE

Godfrey John

"Who are you?"

"Look close, my friend. You know me.
The darkness does not hide my heart nor yours.
In crowds, in dreams,
We meet each day, although your gaze may wander
Without recognition. Closer now."

"It’s still too dark. Your voice, though, familiar....''

"There's something deeper here
Than accent or a name: we have the same
Father."

"You—my brother?"

"Let us remember. Our true heritage
Is deeper far than either race or color.
We have the same God;
The same perfect Mind is our creator.
Look again. Under the same lens
Of Love there is no black nor white about
The perfect man.

"Caucasian, Negro? Asian, European,
Israeli, Russian, American, African?
No, you won't see
Human races but the living sons
Of God, our Father. You and I—
Together we are dearly cherished, free,
The undefiled and individual
Children of one Mind.
Our hearts beat with the same rhythm, then.
In Love's bright kingdom there is only one
Race. Believe me, what Paul found is true:
There are no foreigners!"

"I know that voice,
I know these words. Here light is breaking through.
Let brother meet a brother face to face!"

Godfrey John

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