"I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent."
-Mohandes K. Gandhi
"We must accept finite disappointment, but never loss infinite hope."
-Martin Luther King, Jr
If you eve get the chance, if you ever want to feel the deep sense of commitment and compassion imbued and espoused by this man, a visit to the memorial, his home and church is a must,
http://www.nps.gov/malu/ preferably on a non-historical day to avoid the media hawks.
For me, it was the most stirring experience, one that I will not ever forget.
Incidently, I know of no instance where MLK acknowledges himself as a poet, but when I listen to his speeches, his oratorical skills are so superior, his use of poetic devices like alliteration, repetition, chiasma, rhythm, imagery and metaphor are so rich, smooth, engaging and encouraging that I'm still moved even after all these years. No wonder he became the chosen one to rally for the black cause. No one, since, has stirred a people to the degree he did for 'positive' effect.
Thanks Martin. We owe you.