Today is a groundbreaking ceremony for the new San Ramon City Center. Here is the poem I’ll be reading at the ceremony.

Sacred ritual, this breaking of the ground
Shovel poised and ready
To turn a little bit of earth over
Under blue skies and Diablo’s watchful eye
A ceremonial promise to our children made here today

As dormant field gives way to fertile new life
Becoming hardscape heartspace,
Holding nature’s green space,
Growing vibrant, San Ramon’s City Center
Poised proudly on the edge of the future

We embrace words spoken solemnly
Proclaiming this moment momentous
This small mound of earth bearing witness to
The transformative power of community,
The communal power of our groundbreaking rite.