Home of the Brave

When and how will it end?

Beautiful for spacious skies,

oh Father hear your children's cries.

How can we change the hearts of men

who are addicted to greed, who glorify guns?

Entrenched in sadness and filled with fear

when mournful cries fall on those deaf ears.

We march, we protest, we pray out loud

with clenched fists but with heads bowed.

We talk, we listen yet go on heeding

those vile words, Lord stop the bleeding.

Holding children in cages, what have we become?

Putting 'his' America first is not my home.

We are still one nation, patriots too,

but the air is thick with political spew.

Have we lost sight of loving one another,

treating friends and neighbors like leftover fodder?

Feeling lost and  searching for answers today

to keep America free and home of the brave.

Author's Note

Made some changes from my first draft, including the title. Trying to remain positive but feeling hopeless today.

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

These are dark and difficult times for most of us. (The reasonable, sane ones, methinks) Perhaps I'm a fool, but I still have hope that good will triumph over evil. All but the most zombified of the orange ogre's supporters are abandoning him, proving that some people can wake up. May it be a trend.

[Dara]

You are so right, Sam. I do believe there are much better days ahead also. Perhaps we are dodging a bullet this time and as a nation learned from it. Take care!

[Kelly Scheppers]

You've greatly voiced my own sentiments, Dara, word for word. Bless you for that!

[Dara]

Thank you so much Kelly. Deep down I think many people feel the same way but it is going to take alot more than that to make the change. I believe in time the truth will come out.

[emmajoy]

Leaders all over have lost their ethics and humility. The wise leader speaks slowly and softly so that people calm under what he or she has to say. A hornet is nothing more than a nuisance who plays the role he/she chose to take but in fact is totally unsuitable for.

Your words remind people to beware the clamour and blather of 'horrible' words and the direction they take. Your words are caring, considerate and honest.. pity you're not in politics, DAra.

[Dara]

Your analogy to the hornet is perfect, Emma. When we see leaders who prefer to stir things up to divide and conquer, it makes for a dangerous world. Thank you tons for your words of wisdom and support! I am not quite suited for politics but maybe the answer is having more women who are. I know several other teachers who are getting involved and without them, politicians, doctors, lawyers and the like would not exist. Food for thought anyway :-)

[emmajoy]

How very true, Dara. What a wonderful poem is yours. Just read again.. says so much more than it actually displays.

[Dara]

Can’t think of a better compliment than to have one of my favorite people come back for ‘seconds’! I am so thankful it touched you in that way. Hope you are doing well!

[emmajoy]

Truly was and always is my pleasure to call in and read your words, Dara... Smile into the night and more.. x

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Your poignant piece reminded me of this;

2 Timothy 3:1-5

1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

You are not alone with your share – people are getting anxious and worried about how the world is unfolding! :-)

[Dara]

Yes, I have read that same passage from 2 Timothy and it is frightfully close to what we are starting to witness now. One feels quite helpless and out of control when we have a President and Congress who seem to care little about the country and more about the politics. I am grateful for your insightful review. Thank you so much.

[.]

This is another piece i have read that demonstrates just how upset all of you Americans are at life under the Trump administration.

Being from Australia, i cannot pass judgement on what is happening in your country. From afar, I read articles and watch news stories that are mostly scathing of the choices your President is making. His conduct is at times, unbefitting of the position he holds. Yet I also watch from afar as he makes his claims of putting America first, and being scolded and ridiculed for some of the things he is undertaking to achieve that aim. Politicians are all the same everywhere, but I do believe that chances and patience should be given to see if any positives can come from his promises. It was recently relayed that for the first time in a long time, America is once again the highest producer of oil in the world, surpassing even oil rich Saudi Arabia on that list. So, to me, that is a positive. Sometimes we as people, just play the man and not the ball, so to speak. In time his efforts can be scrutinised and attacked to our heart's content. Or maybe, he might not be so bad for the country after all. Patience is always required. It is freely available but least used.

I hope your views on your country will again be proud and patriotic in the not to distant future. That aside, this was a stirring piece of writing, letting the reader inside your own personal thoughts on the country you love and live in. Kudos for that.

[Dara]

It is very refreshing to hear the view from the other side of the world. Many of us are very embarrassed by his behavior abroad and the way he is treating our closest allies. That being said, I understand he has made some progress for our country in those areas you speak but much of it was begun under the Obama admin. whose legacy he seeks to destroy. If his behavior was more amiable and less narcissistic his brutal remarks may be more tolerable. But your words, so eloquently spoken, give me a ray of hope. I do so appreciate your commenting and taking the time to digest my poem. I love Australia. I had a close poet friend from Australia who died a couple of years ago. I went over there to help spread his ashes into the Indian Ocean. He went by the pen name of Droc. Perhaps you knew of him? Do have a very wonderful evening. It is morning here. Take care and thank you again for this wonderful review.

[Misterr Remeat]

Good job! The air is indeed thick with "political spew". But I think the USA will hopefully unite stronger then ever after all this is over.

[Dara]

Yes, I am hoping so too. To quote Nietzsche, "Out of chaos comes order." I wrote this during one of my darker moments when I first heard about them separating children from their parents. But,there are so many examples of the true American spirit shining through, it does give one reason to think we just might. Thank you so much for your supportive words!