The Whirly Gig
In twenty twenty-four an alloy sandwich
Stamped by an unrelenting hydraulic press
Became a coin worth twenty-five cents US.
On the obverse is the image of a slaveowner
And above his head is the curved word
L I B E R T Y
While on the reverse is a portrait
Of the Reverend Doctor Anna Pauline
“Pauli” Murray, Episcopal priest
And champion of civil rights.
Dr. Murray’s portrait fills the O
Of the word HOPE
Emblazoned on the coin.
Beneath her name
Is E PLURIBUS UNUM:
“From Many, One.”
Here are in both fact and metaphor
Two sides of the same coin
Minted in the United States of America.
Flip that coin.
Hope that the whirly gig you just gave it
Has it land on the awake, enlightened Tails
And not the asleep, entrenched Heads.
Flip it till it’s right!
One with Clay, Image and Text 
This poem has special appeal to me. When I was in High School, I attended the summer session of the Andover Academy in Massachusetts. Our teacher, the Rev. Emily Preston was a colleague and friend of Murray’s and invited her to address our class. She did and read some of her poetry. I bought her book and asked her to sign it. She did and I still have it. Later, when I was a student at Brandeis University, where she was on the faculty, I used to see her on campus, but as I wasn’t in her department, I was a little shy about approaching her.
That is a marvelous reminiscence, Julia. Did you notice “A song in a weary throat” on the coin? So simple and so profound!
Wow, would I love to hear about your Brandeis experience. I hope to see you soon!