Hold Fast This Holiday

The Waltham News Tribune declined to publish this poem. They've previously posted three of my poems, on their Waltham Community Forum page. Not this one.
I'm not shocked. It reads weird. Maybe by next year I can rethink it and submit something better.
However, in writing about MLK I decided African Americans maybe don't need me to pose as their spokesman. Also, we've already many grade school poems and primers on MLK.
As a white dude, I wanted to write about why MLK and this Holiday is important to me.
A lot of push back has occurred in recent years about LGTBQ people, Muslims being registered, Mexicans being deported because of a few "Bad Hombres," you know what I'm getting at.
Can MLK day be a Holiday which does not create awareness solely of one race or classes plight, but for all of us who are victims of bigotry?


Hold Fast This Holiday

Hold fast onto this Holiday,
And honor the life of MLK,
For future times will bring discord
From those who won’t, who’ll come and say;
"No,
  You cannot love that woman,
  You cannot hire that man,
  You can not, no, you go away,
  You don’t belong here in This Town,
  You and your type are banned"

Please hold onto this Holiday,
Embody the spirit of Dr. King,
That on such notorious a day,
You and I, we will stand tall and sing;
"Yes,
  Yes I can love this woman,
  Yes I can hire this man,
  Oh yes we can, oh yes, we’re here,
  For we believe you too belong – in Our Town,
  To share and possess a love for all,
  Of our Fellows, our Sisters, and Man"