In memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

You knew

Yes,

you knew it.

You knew that death stalked you.

You knew it with certainty.

Your black brothers knew it

and your white brothers knew it.

We all knew that you were going to leave us,

your life cut short, suddenly,

violently,

with that swift, cruel, inhuman impact

that has abruptly ended so many lives.

Today you leave us orphaned of your words,

of your apostolic presence,

and your prophetic vision.

America is orphaned.

What a grief! What a grief, America!

What a grief! What a grief oh World!

But all Mankind

cannot lose your soul

because you have blessed us

with the best of your essence.

Yes, human feelings

could not survive

without this inheritance

you have bequeathed us.

Federico Arcos

(Picture: Hommage à Martin Luther King, Alfred Manessier)