I wrote this poem on January 20, 2009, the day that President Barack Obama was inaugurated — and was delighted when it took First Place as “The Inaugural Poem We Should Have Had,” a competition sponsored by Australia-based absolutewrite.com.
Include me.
Invite me into the circle and guide me to the spot that bears my name
Escort me with a steadying touch, loose your hold and bear me aloft
Include my joy and ebullience, my hope and promise,
The tracks of endless tears and the wounds of struggle and pain
that have marked the past.
Include me raw and refined, defiant, quiescent
Include me enriched and diminished, broken and healed
Embrace me as the one anointed and demeaned,
Privileged and impoverished by stature, circumstance
or the trajectory of an inconstant moon.
Include my willingness.
Reap the fruits of surrender I have cultivated for this moment
Lead me through a doorway unadorned, a hallway lined with latency,
Pass the drinking gourd so that all who thirst,
May sip the undilute nectar of belonging.
Include me as woman, man, brother, sister, parent, child
Include me offering and offered, receiving and giving, creator and creation
Weave the strands of my soul into a blossoming tapestry of voices,
Joined by the shared heart of humanity and a long-aching hunger for unity.
Use every part of me
Include the infinitesimal and the inestimable
Lift me at once to my full height and humility
Draw out my hidden gifts and squandered talents
And draw me into the arms of others who await my arrival.
I am here in this Now,
Filled with passion, with purpose
My prayer but so simple:
Include me.
words divinely wrought 
Read this poem at the end of a Sunday School class I taught on inclusiveness a few weeks ago. Many folks came up to me and asked about the poem, remarking how beautiful and moving it was. Have directed them to this site. Thanks for sharing of your self with us. Blessings to you, and keep sharing!
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Thank you, Kevin. I have long felt that my poetry is best suited to be read/shared in spiritual settings — or anywhere that people gather to work on their spiritual development. Reminds me that it’s about time for me to hit the road and visit some of these places! I especialy appreciate you giving appropriate credit and directing people to Be Whole Now. Are you in the southwestern US?
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Central Presbyterian Church in balmy downtown Austin, TX! Any chance you will make your way through our town?
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Well, who knows? Is that balmy as in triple-digits hot, or balmy as in a cool breeze and some greenery and even, perhaps, some water? Are there any regular poetry open mic events in Austin, or other venues where my work might be received well? For a time, I was a “Poet in Residence” at a Baptist Church that held a monthly coffeehouse. Pretty good for a omnidenominational spiritualist with a Jewish upbringing, eh?
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Knocks the pants off of that mess they read at the inauguration. Beautiful.
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Michael,
Be my agent. Please. Thank You.
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Thank you, Ron and Roland for your appreciation.
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Beautiful
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Easy to see why you were the winner!
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This is beautiful.
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