I am an American

June 26, 2013... and again in 2015

What if I don’t like your looks,

demand you read my pre-approved books,

think that you must pray my way,

dictate all you do and say?

 

What if  I feel you’re living wrong,

that my way’s been right all along,

that who you marry is my affair,

my views the ones all lives declare?

 

Liberty’s struggle is still going strong,

from founding fathers to protest throng;

neighbors' ways may disagree,

and still, we strive for Unity... 

Author's Note

*The first rendition of this poem was written two years ago. Still, we strive...

Agree or disagree, our country is founded on freedom for ALL

Reviews

[TL Boehm]

I tend to run pretty conservative in many of my political opinions but I can say that I would rather be an American than so many other places I could have been born. We have the freedom to stand up and disagree, or agree as we see fit - we do have so many freedoms that people in other nations do not have - so I applaud this poem. I really liked the line "from founding fathers to protest throng;" I kind of see us as a country as a "Teen" you know? We are passionate and sometimes headstrong. We don't always obey - but I don't think the heart of this nation is "Bad" - we are just young as a nation.
I think this is a strong, relevant poem. Well done.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

I do believe the founding fathers were going for freedom. I concur with you, Rita.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Tammy. I am pretty moderate, actually - but words like these make people assume I am very liberal. I just understand that, if I am to enjoy freedoms as an American, I cannot deny them to others.

[TL Boehm]

That's right. We can't deny freedoms to others if we want to enjoy them. Well stated.

[s y e]

I'm Scottish! Ha, this was a great write, Rita. As always.

Sorry for all the late reviews on your amazing writes, I've been really busy lately. I'd love to come to America sometime, when I'm older, haha.

Awesome write!

~ Noodle.

[Rita L. Sev]

:) Thank you! Yes, I recommend that you take a trip to the States - starting where it all began, here in Philadelphia!

[s y e]

Haha, got ya! Number 1: Philadelphia!

[rhythm&blues]

Strong work here, you speak for many of us, thank you for sharing this one.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you for your kind words, R&B.

[Samuel Jack]

Id love to have such a view of America, but from the outside looking in, its not a pretty sight. There are plenty of free people, but i wouldnt say it was founded on freedom. But this poem was bound to bring up strong views. Fair play for standing up and saying what you beleive in.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Samuel. You are right about the founding of the US - the idea of freedom was there, but it excluded so many, and we are still trying to catch up. I guess you could say that I believe in the freedom we CLAIM to have...

[Samuel Jack]

I believe that the America we all want is there already, just gotta peel off some rot and it would be there, all shiny and delicious. Lol

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Very courageous write... i applaud it.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Hero

[Sally Dinn]

FOunding fathers have seems to've become wailing mothers. I have nothing against that. Just sayin'

[Rita L. Sev]

Hmmm... you may have a point here. Thank you, Sally!

[Astro]

I like these controversial ones. It may seem like a simple point of view but I think it might also be taken strongly by others who don't share the same view. In this line, I got the message but I felt it could have been written differently so here is a couple suggestions you may or may not care to consider.
"Liberty’s struggle is still going strong,
from founding fathers to protest throng;" (just for the second part of the line actually)

"from founding fathers the fight presses on" or "from founding fathers it protests anon"(I know neither end in 'ong' but still could be used.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Astro, for your thoughts and suggestions.
Controversy is as American as our freedom!

[Astro]

Indeed deep roots of controversy lie beneath the American lands.

[J_Star]

Hear, hear! Sing it, girl.

[Rita L. Sev]

Amen! Thanks for reading!

[SteveB]

If only more people still agreed with the principle you are free to disagre without being disagreeable. Nicely written but sad as I believe, yet pray I am wrong, that ours may be the last generation to experience even imperfect liberty.

[Rita L. Sev]

Oh, I hope this is not the case, Steve; but you may be right. Still, I dream... Thank you.

[kublakhan27]

A lot to think about...I'm not a politician but I always felt like democracy is a myth, and freedom is probably the most expensive thing imaginable, as much here as it is there, or anywhere really...well-written and well-said :)

[Rita L. Sev]

Yes, Freedom is anything but free, wherever we are. But I keep hoping for it, in full, for all - someday... Thank you, K!

[kublakhan27]

It can't happen without hope :) My pleasure Rita :)