This I Must Believe

Have the patience of Job
my dark skinned brother.
Rome was not built in a day,
as they say, nor were the iniquities
that you endure and shall endure
into the future of this new
and brave century.

Your eyes are tired and sad,
but be of good cheer.
We shall drink new wine,
and break bread together,
and we shall walk side by side
as equals, and you shall be exiled
no more in the kingdom of heaven,
for we will have learned to love life,
and even the land, the seas and skies
will be healed, and the creation
will groan no more for the oppressed
and slain in the name of hatred.

Oh, this I must believe!