Rain Dancer

How long must I dance

to quiet the roar of fear,

the whisper of submission,

to end the violence

of hatred and suspicion?

Where are the torrents

to wash away the bigotry,

the dam of bureaucracy,

to heal the wounds

of prejudice and pain?

Come, thunderstorm! Come,

let lightning strike twice,

hear the winds of change!

How long must I dance

before it rains?

By Ruth A. Souther - 1990

Poem won 1st place in a contest sponsored by the Springfield Arts Council, 1990 and was published in an Anthology 1991.