A Tribute to Martin Luther King

A poem by Milton student Vanda Bernadeau,
Accompanied by Milton student artwork
(From a workshop at the Martin Luther King Jr.
Memorial Celebration, at Temple Shalom)

Is There a Doctor in the House?

Paging Dr. King, can you heal us with your speech?

The world is sick of people who don't practice what they preach.

Your eyes and ears were stethoscopes that heard the world's heart beat.

You observed all of our symptoms and diagnosed the street.

You saw the fists and weapons and our youth fade in the blasts.

And gave us all a remedy when you said, "Free at last."

Your speech shook souls and moved us all; it took great strength to make it.

Yet sometimes we forget the remedy or just won't take it.

We cough up hateful words and hurt people every day.

And instead of speaking up, some of us just walk away.

Is there a Doctor in the house to step up and heal our world?

No more prejudice is what we need; let's teach the boys and girls.

What Dr. King had dreamed for all of us to one day see.

That we're sick, sick and tired of not living equally.

Dr. King the world is sick, but let your soul be assured.

That our dreams are like yours, may our world one day be cured.

~ A poem by Milton student Vanda Bernadeau