Steve Holton ‘88, ‘13: A MENTAL HEALTH - SOCIAL ACTION EXODUS
From a Narrow place to Dancing - An Invitation (A Greek Dactylic Hexameter Liberation Rap)
Here are the thoughts and reflections of one going through these challenging times, indeed buffeted by these times yet changed by them.
They are the thoughts and reflections of one formed at General, both with an MDiv in 1988 and an STM in 2013. The formation happened in the chapel, where we come with intercessions and leave with blessings, nurtured by the fellowship we find there. Indeed, it is the habit of reflection formed at General - of any kind, pastoral, spiritual, biblical, or theological - that has made the following reflection possible.
It was tapped out on a phone on a lake in Canada, in a van on the way home and in reflections after a clergy funeral. The intended audiences were fellow progressive clergy, and a youth organization in Harlem working against violence. The Episcopal pastoral model is so strong and so portable that I have become something of a pastor there. The habits of reflection from General transfer anywhere. The prayer life of the chapel become a prayer life in the chapel of our hearts no matter where we are. In this chapel, prayers are brought to a central altar, are blessed and consecrated, and become words and blessings for others. I pray these are a blessing for my fellow General alumni.
For those with mental illness
Or a social action mind;
I offer you this ladder
For your soul to climb
When slavery was legal
And freedom was a crime;
Step out of line, for mental health
Seemed like illness at the time
Now like Egypt, Hebrew "Mizraim"
In a "narrow place" and time;
Step out of line, make Exodus
Get freedom on your mind
Bad home, bad job, bad neighborhood
In this wrong place, wrong time;
Step out of line, when codes are bent
To keep your soul in line
Time to rebel and straighten up
Reach out your arms and hands;
Step out of line, and stretch yourselves
Get free enough to dance
Enslavement keeps us bent
In the overseer's sight so;
Step out of line, and don't bow down
You've got to do what's right
Though when we straighten up and risk
A punishment so near and;
Step out of line, we hear too much
The constant voice of fear
A Voice calls even nearer
"Come take this hope-filled chance;
Step out of line, and seek and find
A good, broad land to dance"
Moses was the first
To hear the voice of his tradition, and;
Step out of line, but he, a prince
Was not protected by position
Cast out and newly humble
He found Jethro's home in tents;
Step out of line, and then you'll find
The comfort of new friends
'Twas on the slopes of heaven's mount
He saw the burning tree;
Step out of line, hear God with him
Say, "I'm not done with thee"
"Straighten up and take a breath
For Breathing is my Name;
Step out of line, and tell your people
They must do the same"
He went back to Egypt
He stood up straight to power;
Step out of line, and take a Breath
In This most dangerous hour
Moses led his people
With the strength of power divine;
Breathe in, breathe out God's Holy Name
In every dangerous time
When nightfall comes upon you
You'll feel God's fiery breath;
Breathe in, breathe out, step out of line
And have no fear of death
When daytime comes, and heat draws near
God's breath is cloud and shade;
Breathe in, breathe out, now you can take
The path that God has made
You might stop and grumble
For food and shelter that you lost;
Breathe in, breathe out, but slavery?
It was not worth the cost
We reach at last that wide Red Sea
But do not fear you'll drown;
Breathe in, breathe out, and walk right in
You'll walk on solid ground
Look behind and flee again
The anger of our nation;
Breathe in, breathe out, for you are now
A Child of Creation
The only way is forward
Now not water, but dry land;
Breathe in, breathe out, my family
Let's give to each a hand
When we reach the shores of freedom
Remember why we took the chance;
Breathe in, breathe out, don't serve yourself
Reach out your arms and dance
With Miriam, remember
The near escape we made;
Breathe in, breathe out, we left behind
Their power beneath the waves
Now on the slopes of heaven's mount
We're offered God's own Code
Breathe in, breathe out, and take the risk
And take it on the road
We have no overseers
Just neighbors on all sides;
Breathe in, breathe out, just bring your peace
And be reconciled
If the world should get too crazy
And your soul's in need of balm;
Breathe in, breathe out, and listen for
That chill, small voice of calm
When morning comes upon you
Do not lie upon your bed;
Breathe in, breathe out, rise up and shout
Sing to the Lord instead
Come, join hands and move
Out into all Creation;
There's space to be renewed
With life-giving connection
Our hearts and hands receive
An invitation from the Earth;
Breathe in her breath, her breeze
And find a deep rebirth
Our souls are stretched, our minds
And our bodies too;
Pregnant with yourself
Become a whole new you
Now we overflow
From our narrow space;
Out into the world
Lifted by God's grace
In a world coming apart at the seams
Be the thread