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

[Rocans]

Wonderful write Rita. Your rhymes were very natural...unforced and accurate. Good poetry! :)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Rocans!

[Rocans]

You are indeed welcome.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Free, nothing feels like free though it sometimes means we don't get a long.
Great lyrics from a song called Home by Dierks Bently.

We all have our right to be who what we want and others have the right to criticize those decisions and we have the right to ignore their disapproval. A great country indeed.

[Rita L. Sev]

It does have its perks... Thanks, Dale

[DrD]

I was an American. I learned the difference between collecive freedom and personal freedom and left. I don't expect many to understand that.

[Rita L. Sev]

I understand - but choose to fight the fight for personal freedom. Thank you so much for reading.

[Baby Ricochet]

Love it. Outstanding work.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Mark. Truly appreciate your reading this!

[Frieda P]

That second verse could start a small war Rita! This was more like Raisin Bran for breakfast, nice one my friend!

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! No Froot Loops today! Just a dose of the day's news... Not trying to start any wars, just open an eye or two... Thanks, Frieda!

[Frieda P]

I can see that, it was a good purge, that was meant as a compliment Rita...

[Rita L. Sev]

Oh, I know - no worries! I also know that some may take offense - but I certainly did not mean any, either! :)

[Frieda P]

People will always take offense, it's the American Way also ;-)

[Rita L. Sev]

Too true! :P

[Frieda P]

:-D .........................

[Kristin Lee]

Yes, freedom for all. A land of tolerance is what I was taught to believe in. And yet, more and more I see people with less and less tolerance for views that differ from their own. If Americans wanted to revert to being ruled by Royalty instead of being governed under a Democracy, we'd no longer be America; standing proud on the foundations set forth by our founding fathers. People have lost sight of what freedom truly means. Great poem. Very thought provoking.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Kristin! I agree that people have lost sight of what freedom means... I hope we can find it again.

[Zahra]

that who you marry is my affair,
Witty. Well you've said it all. It's everywhere, freedom is just spoken of but whether at government level or individual lives we still find it hard to respect and accept another human just for the sake of humanity. A very well penned poem.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Voice. I guess that's true - we have a hard time accepting humanity.

[Marie]

I've been around longer than Angel. I remember everything she does. But I accept the new freedoms, because they do mean liberty for all...

[Rita L. Sev]

That's exactly it, Marie. Thank you.

[Aethereal]

Anyone who assumes that everyone should be exactly as they are is an egotistical person. In this case, everyone would need to be an egotist to be like this person. If everyone is an egotist, then each of us would want everyone to be just like us. This creates anarchy. When everyone fights everyone else, no one's really free. We must be humble bumblebees whereby we drop our preconceptions, listen, learn, and grow if we're to be free.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Aethereal! I love the last sentence in your comment: humble bumblebees, indeed!

[Angel]

I dunno, Rita. Maybe I've been around too long. See, I can remember when we did have prayer in public school...no big deal, it was pretty generic, and no child was forced to participate...although I did time in detention because I didn't want to say the "pledge". I can remember a time before "no fault" divorce, when kids could depend on Daddy being there at the breakfast table every morning...the same "Daddy" that was there yesterday and the day before that, and the day before that... I can remember when abortion was a tragedy, something that only happened because otherwise the mother would die, or the child would be horribly handicapped. I can remember when we sang Christmas carols door to door...these days, I'd be scared to do that.
Christianity, I'm afraid, is being pushed to the side. It makes me sad to see that happening. It's at least partly our own fault...we've become complacent. We do really dumb things...like close the church on Christmas if it falls on a Sunday, for instance.
Still, I am glad we do live in a country where we all have that freedom. Hooray for the Constitution of the United States of America...
and
In God We Trust!!

[Rita L. Sev]

Angel, I think that prayer in ALL forms should be allowed in schools - as well as the right to not participate if one so chooses. I feel that abortion is a tragic choice - and I personally would never choose one. I have known "traditional" families that were a mess where abuse was the norm, but it "looked" OK on the outside so everyone thought they were upstanding members of society, and I have known single-gay parent families full of love and joy, whose neighbors shun them at every turn. In God we trust - and I do. I also love my country, not for what some people say I should do, but for all the freedoms I have to choose what's right for me.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments! Thank God for the freedom we have to share these ideas! :)

[Angel]

LOL...well, I'll say this...you are the most liberal Catholic school teacher I've ever met!! And I wouldn't want you any other way! God bless you, Rita!!

[Rita L. Sev]

Lol! I am actually quite traditional in many ways. People are always surprised at my love of the Mass, and woe to the child who is disrespectful in church in my presence! But, I feel that Jesus was a model of love to all. Also, the Church does have its views - but in America, one faith's views are not (and should never be) the basis for all. :) (It may be good to note that I was taught by, and work with, the Sisters of St. Joseph, whose main mission is social justice... probably a big influence there!) :)