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Upon Hearing of an ICE Raid: we want the country back

We want the country back.

 

America feels like a cornered rat

trembling savage

desperation spilling

like rabid light

from frightened eyes

gone flight now only fight

time stopped

avenues of escape blocked

so

desperation becoming bullets

fear becoming cages

heat waves of hatred

trapped in terror

paralyzed in pain

America feels like a cornered rat


 

My country tis of thee

Sweet land of liberty

         so much misery

Of thee I sing

 

Land where my father's died

Land of the pilgrims pride

          where the lies do not subside

          where the guilty are free and the innocents are tried

From every mountainside

          and the liars lied and the children died

Of thee I sing

 

My native country, thee,

Land of the noble free,

        unless of course one takes a knee

Thy name I love;

 

I love thy rocks and rills,

Thy woods and templed hills

       overdose deaths from opioid pills

       so many people can't pay their bills

My heart with rapture thrills,

       while everywhere more blood from bullets spill

Like that above.

 

Let music swell the breeze,

And ring from all the trees

           poverty the worst disease

           alt-right newest form of sleaze 

Sweet freedom's song;

 

Let mortal tongues awake;

Let all that breathe partake;

        gerrymandered districts make

        don't sell gays a wedding cake

Let rocks their silence break,

         claim climate change is a fake

The sound prolong.

          

Oh beautiful for spacious skies

     and uglier with all the lies

And Amber waves of grain

     the poor in endless pain

For purple mountain majesties

     and  economic travesties

Above the fruited plain

 

America feels wounded 

bruised by bigotry

stabbed by stupidity

garroted by greed

burned by brutality

shocked by shame

tortured by treachery

flogged by falsehood

gutted by gullibility

America feels wounded

 

We want the country back.

free-versesociety

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Comments

Devon Brock

Fri 9th Aug 2019 21:50

Adam, activism and politics in the arts is a centuries old practice, and I don't think you should be shied away from expressing your opinions. That being said, I'm with Leon on this - shout it if you must, and in these times we must. I work with a lot of immigrants, and I must tell you, their American dream is much bigger than the jaded, jaundiced, take it for granted nightmare in which we currently live.

D

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Adam Rabinowitz

Fri 9th Aug 2019 20:59

Thank you Don, Keith, MC, Jason and Leon for reading and commenting.

Since this is a poetry and not a politics blog, though my poem is political in inspiration, I guess all I would say is that I stand firm in my belief that we have here (since I can only speak to here) sown the seeds for our own fall from grace and that I wish it were not so.

And action, yes, it is certai nly important to do more than put pen to paper but since that is more my talent than other forms of activism I do put forth more effort there.

<Deleted User> (17847)

Thu 8th Aug 2019 16:04

Adam, thank you for being a REAL member of the ( questionably ) human race and for putting so much appreciated work into this very very powerful poem-cheers mate!

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Jason Bayliss

Thu 8th Aug 2019 14:24

Every nation on the planet walks a line between aspiration and pragmatism. We would pretty much all aspire to be open, patient citizens of the world, but must also protect our own values and way of life from those that want to destroy it because they don't understand it.
Every nation walks a line, and each line is both fulcrum and tipping point.

J. x

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M.C. Newberry

Thu 8th Aug 2019 12:21

The other side of the coin - or border?
Who are the victims here? Where are the barbs aimed at the
countries whose inhabitants seek to move to America without the
usual courtesy of obeying the law of that country...encouraged
by a media that reports matters as if there was some sort of right
to behave in that way.
Who are the failures here? Where are the arrows that should be
aimed at the countries in, for example, South America...largely
run by those of certain origins - sunk into centres of wholesale
corruption, crime, indolence and violence & busy exporting those
unappetising traits elsewhere. Like a certain church organisation, not unknown for sanctioning violence, they seek extension of their influence by force of uninvited numbers.
Who are the guilty here? Those who cry "Enough"?
Discuss!

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keith jeffries

Thu 8th Aug 2019 11:01

Adam,

This poem is exceptional in its content and composition. A hymn of patriotism mingled with tragedy. Sadly all you say is true even from those of us who live on the other side of the pond. You are not alone in this ghastly predicament as we too have no one in government who has the necessary qualities of leadership and those who represent us are self seekers and guilty of racism and corruption across all parties. It is a low point in the history of our two great nations. Eighty years ago we fought fascism and today that insidious cancer has taken root in our own societies. Your poem is a wake up call not only for the US but the UK also. We must stand firm and be alert and pray that this period of our history will be short lived.

An excellent poem which sends a clear message. Well done!
Thank you for this

Keith

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Don Matthews

Thu 8th Aug 2019 08:58

Adam - if a writer can drag at the emotions of readers, and themselves, they have achieved their goal. You have achieved this with me.

The techniques you used also had a great effect on me. The use of alliteration at the end 'punched' it all home. The rhymed verses 'full stopped' with a short non-rhyme statement.

I'm only a lowly rhymer but I was impressed......

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Adam Rabinowitz

Thu 8th Aug 2019 07:58

Got a little emotional. Sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed. This helped.

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