Amid loud voices

near the statue of Robert E. Lee,

two men, one white, one black. 

one for, one against, 

one a plumber, the other a coach

speak of the history that brings them there.

For fifteen minutes

they listen and speak 

and when their conversation ends,

they shake hands and briefly hug,

having acknowledged their differences

and embraced their shared humanity.

If they can do it, so can we.

                                                                                                         JDG