A Globe of Witnesses


	AGW Welcome		The Witness Magazine

Song for the Deaf
by Christine Rodgers

I recently wrote this poem for my friend Angela, who I sponsor each year in the San Francisco AIDS Walk. It’s a wonderful event that takes place in Golden Gate Park and involves thousands of committed people. All of the money raised is dedicated to ongoing HIV and AIDS research.

This year Angela told me that a group of religious fundamentalists were positioned at several places along the walk, shouting obscenities and epithets at those walking. Every poem I write continues to be a plea for all of us to consider choosing mercy and compassion over judgment and self-righteousness.

Song for the Deaf

We are walking
in love.

Do you hear?

We are walking
in love
as Jesus did.

Are you listening?

You are screaming

which has
nothing
to do
with love.

You cannot
hurt us
or the ones
we remember.

We are walking
past you
in love.

For Angela
July 2001

Christine Rodgers is an actor and writer living in San Francisco. Both acting and writing are a way of giving witness, and also a way of praying. She is currently working on a theatre piece exploring the idea of "call" and the mystical life. chrisr@gracecathedral.org

Related Links:

Visit the San Francisco AIDS Foundation at www.sfaf.org

Christine Rodgers speaks on a panel discussion on "The Creative Spirit in Poetry" at The Forum at Grace Cathedral at http://www.gracecathedral.org/enrichment/forum/for_20000402.shtml