Heroes like RBG

It seems so long ago that I posted on death, grief and the loss of an inspirational public leader, but that was only 4 days ago. Now I reflect on this again, with the death of our beloved Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. So many emotions are being experienced nationwide; fear, hope, a call to action.

All of that lives here, in the Egmont Overture. The Count of Egmont was a historical figure, and hero of an independent Netherlands. Though he was beheaded by the Spanish in 1568, his bravery and patriotism sparked a revolution. Of course, our heroes of The Enlightenment were inspired by his story! Goethe wrote a play about the Egmont story, and Beethoven wrote music to accompany the drama. The Egmont Overture has inspired and consoled audiences, being performed to honor and memorialize the Israeli athletes who were murdered in the 1972 Olympic Games, and it was the anthem of the Hungarian Revolution. And. it inspires me.

Here is a wonderful 10 minute performance, conducted by the incredible and inspirational Seiji Ozawa.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HhbZmgvaKs&list=PLPLzDPFJQLNCeBDLB22YjV1D12cN5jbsC&index=11&t=0s

Justice Ginsburg was not just notorious in her zeal for civil rights and justice. She was a notorious opera addict, and I will miss seeing her at the opera here in Santa Fe. It was such a treat when she was in the house, and we always greeted her with a standing ovation when she went to her seat. And she loved Beethoven’s opera Fidelio, with the feminist hero Leonore, and her struggle for justice and love.  There is so much to say on this…I’ll save that for another day.

Looking for words to describe this moment, I’m drawn to the consoler and spiritual guide for Martin Luther King Jr. Howard Thurman was a theologian, philosopher, and actor for social justice, It is fitting to read his words, while praying and consoling each other at our time of national loss and uncertainty. I’ve edited a tiny bit for gender, which I believe he would forgive.

From “Our Little Lives”

Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Your altar!
Brood over our spirits, Our God,
Blow upon whatever dream You have for us
That there may glow once again upon our hearths
The light from Your altar.
Pour out upon us whatever our spirits need of shock, of lift, of release
That we may find strength for these days—
Courage and hope for tomorrow.
In confidence we rest in Your sustaining grace
Which makes possible triumph in defeat, gain in loss, and love in hate.
We rejoice this day to say:
Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Your altar!

Praying for better days in all “our little lives”. Until next time we meet, enjoy music, dive into poetry, and thanks for visiting thetonepoet.com.