Threatening and Reality

A Chanting Poem by Obed Yadzo

Threatening and reality!
Threatening and reality!
Two voices walking beside humanity,
One speaks of fear,
The other speaks of life.

Threatening is the shadow at the doorway,
The cold whisper in the night,
The pain that visits without invitation,
The wound that refuses to be forgotten.

Reality is the morning sun,
The breath within our lungs,
The footsteps upon the earth,
The gift of another day.

Threatening is death!
Reality is life!
Threatening is sorrow!
Reality is survival!

I chant for the broken,
I chant for the weary,
I chant for the dreamers who carry burdens,
Yet refuse to surrender.

Who has not tasted pain?
Who has not walked through storms?
Who has not stood before uncertainty,
And wondered what tomorrow would bring?

Threatening stands before us,
Wearing the garments of fear,
Speaking the language of doubt,
Building walls around the heart.

But reality stands taller!
Reality stands stronger!
Reality declares:

"You are still here."

When the rain falls,
Reality says, "Rise."
When the wind roars,
Reality says, "Stand."
When darkness gathers,
Reality says, "Endure."

Threatening is the test,
Reality is the testimony.

Threatening is the battle,
Reality is the victory waiting to be born.

I have seen pain,
Yet I have seen perseverance.
I have seen tears,
Yet I have seen triumph.

Threatening may shake the body,
But reality strengthens the spirit.

Threatening may visit,
But it shall not reign forever.

So let the mountains hear this chant!
Let the valleys echo these words!
Let every heart remember:

Threatening is not the end!
Threatening is not the end!
Threatening is not the end!

Reality is life!
Reality is hope!
Reality is courage!
Reality is the journey we continue!

And while breath remains within us,
While purpose burns within us,
While faith rises within us,

We shall walk,
We shall rise,
We shall overcome.

Threatening is the shadow.
Reality is the light.
And the light shall always find its way.