Alliance Poem by Bill Upton

On any given Sunday morning,
Hundreds of motorists get detoured
Around thousands of runners in full stride
In the 10 K du jour.
Police blockades pop up at major intersections,
Causing angst for drivers in a hurry
For their five dollar cup of Starbucks.

Across town, within 2 blocks of one another,
Two popular breakfast diners
Have crowds standing in lines that stretch
Around the block in anticipation
Of a couple of eggs and a stack of pancakes.

Mall parking lots fill up so quickly
That shoppers circle in perpetuity for an open space
So that they can 'attack' the stores
And find the sales that bring the price of sweaters,
And shoes, and whatever flotsam and jetsam
That can be imagined,
Down to 50% off with a coupon.

Several miles away at Heinz Field,
67,000 strong-standing room only (and since 1971!) fans
Stand in line to enter,
To get a hot dog,
To use the bathroom,
To scream, party, and root
For their 'hometown heroes'
To uphold the tradition of the city
With another football victory.

On a corner in the Northside stands a church.
Apart from the crowds by only a mile or two,
But wrapped in the fabric of the community,
It stands humbly, with doors wide open to all.
Without fanfare,
With no blockades,
No $30. parking prices.
Less than a mile away from an event
That will gather strangers together in purpose,
That will unite thousands for a three hour thrill,
Is a sanctuary and an opportunity
To gather in fellowship where no one is a stranger,
To cheer,
To honor the only One worthy of 'Hero'.
You would think you couldn't even push your way in...
On any given Sunday morning.