‘Continue’ by Maya Angelou

Into a world which needed youMy wish for youIs that you continue

Continue

To be who and how you areTo astonish a mean worldWith your acts of kindness

Continue

To allow humour to lighten the burdenof your tender heart

Continue

In a society dark with crueltyTo let the people hear the grandeurOf God in the peals of your laughter

Continue

To let your eloquenceElevate the people to heightsThey had only imagined

Continue

To remind the people thatEach is as good as the otherAnd that no one is beneathNor above you

Continue

To remember your own young yearsAnd look with favour upon the lostAnd the least and the lonely

Continue

To put the mantel of your protectionAround the bodies ofThe young and defenceless

Continue

To take the hand of the despisedAnd diseased and walk proudly with themIn the high streetSome might see you andBe encouraged to do likewise

Continue

To plant a public kiss of concernOn the cheek of the sickAnd the aged and infirmAnd count that as aNatural action to be expected

Continue

To let gratitude be the pillowUpon which you kneel toSay your nightly prayerAnd let faith be the bridgeYou build to overcome evilAnd welcome good

Continue

To ignore no visionWhich comes to enlarge your rangeAnd increase your spirit

Continue

To dare to love deeplyAnd risk everythingFor the good thing

Continue

To floatHappily in the sea of infinite substanceWhich set aside riches for youBefore you had a name

Continue

And by doing soYou and your workWill be able to continueEternally

In love, care and tenderness

naomi xxx

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