VocalEssence Chorus, Ensemble Singers, Singers Of This Age, and Vintage Voices, Joe Davis, spoken word, Mary Jo Gothmann, piano

Forgive me for all the times I stood by,
turned aside, and when I cast a blind eye down;
I pretended not to see you grieving, not to see you reeling,
but I see you now.
I’ll turn around, my pride laid down,
hear my apology.
Can we talk together? I want to do better . . .
May I walk with you, and stay awhile . . .
Can we reconcile?
Forgive me for all the times I laughed,
or went on the attack, all at your expense;
Behind your back I undermined what you’re about,
I sold you out, never came to your defense.
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak;
courage is what it takes to sit down and listen. *
This is the work we’re called to do.
This is the work we all can do.
—Kyle Pederson, * anonymous quote,
often misattributed to Winston Churchill