Dean Okamura

Passage

A million voices cried out Mercy from the sea.
Chain-marred bodies drifted homeless from sea to sea.

 

     Regard us, benevolent ones don’t look away.
     We were Kings, Queens & Lords before the brutal sea.

 

People packed like sardines 'til they culled the bodies,
disposed along with spoiled cargo tossed in the sea.

 

     Wealthy overlords want to drown out our voices,
     but they will not suppress our light in the dark sea.

 

Thru the passage of seasons, they gathered their strength.
Currents can't stop ghost dancers from trampling the sea.

 

     A voice calls: Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise.
     It is written in flowing Scriptures of the sea.

 

Resolve & strength keep weary bones out of the mud,
& sinews of memory float in the deep sea.

 

     If you don’t believe we’ve been purified-redeemed,
     follow us to refuge in the turbulent sea.

 

These Ancient Souls were not swallowed by injustice.
They speak with inaudible whispers in the sea.

 

     Rise Up, Oh City of Bones, bear witness to all.
     We survive & thrive amidst an oppressive sea.

 

As the beautiful bones break death's dominion, Come,
Dean, Wait & See: How's God gonna trouble the sea?