Poem: Let us Rise

Wednesday, February 19, 1997 - 11:00

Let us Rise

On Lygon Street

a building stands

a house of dreams,

each stone a vision.


A little tattered and worse,

or should I say, better for wear

this Parliament of workers.

But solid, dignified and proud.


I climb the steps

so deeply worn

by the feet of our

fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers.


As I ascend I recall

a fragment of rebellious wisdom

from Connolly, a leader of labour who had

fire in his heart and ice in his brain:


The great appear great

only because we are

on our knees.

Let us Rise!


Bill Anderson

From GLW issue 263