“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.”
When I was a sophomore in high school, I was assigned to memorize and recite those verses: Macbeth’s disturbing, portentous soliloquy. That speech has stayed with me all these many years later, popping into my head at times of uncertainty, disappointment and at moments of encounter with futility and foolishness. As it does today; as I anticipate the inauguration tomorrow. Are we destined, four years from now, to look back and know that we were “fools, lighted the way to dusty death?” I fear it. Fear that all our tomorrows will be marked by “a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage”, yet still married with a hope that “then is heard no more.” That no longer will we hear tales “told by an idiot, full of sound and fury.” Soon, very soon, we shall have our answer.
Tomorrow, however, is also another sort of day. Tomorrow is a day to celebrate a great American prophet. One who summoned us to “build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.” One who, having grown up in a racist, segregated America, kept an eye always on his dream of a brighter tomorrow. A man who gave his life in pursuit of justice and reconciliation. Martin Luther King, Jr. warned, “We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” In a time of dreadful uncertainty, these are the words and his is the life and the example that can guide us; a north star that beckons us to follow as we keep our footsteps on the road to justice, mercy and love.
Tomorrow: Tomorrow, four years ago: hear once again the words of a young poet full of hope, a call that rang out from the Capitol to the nation, summoning us all to believe: “For there is always light/ If only we’re brave enough to see it/ If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
8 Responses
Well said.
Thanks again – your words are always helpful. Borgie
I am quoting these words from Heather Cox Richardson’s piece about heroes today:
{Dr. King went on, “because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around…. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars.” Dr. King said that he felt blessed to live in an era when people had finally woken up and were working together for freedom and economic justice.}
Perhaps these very dark times will awaken the populace to fight for justice and the values that build a better world.
I’m with Borgie, “your words are always helpful”, thanks Polly
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Thank you
Beautifully said, Polly, and how symbolic that such darkness and such light are shining through the years to be celebrated by some and not by others on this week’s particularly significant Monday, as we continue to move as a country toward some sort of tipping point, with the energy behind those forces still growing. I’m with the love contingent, as I know you are too, the only thing that can successfully conquer hate. Thank you for the beautiful reminder!
Abrasha so that s positions from me let to me