This cherished American document, a prophetic declaration,
Speaks to mankind of God in opening this vision of liberty.
Yet it unites us by separating church and state,
Joining us together, removing our ties to religions divisive debate.
A Universally cherished statement echoes worldwide for all equally created beings to hear.
This single Declaration inspires all humankind with hope, by virtue of our common origins.
Our divine birthright 0f freedom thus birthed a nation, yet without regard to a nationality.
Drawing its strength from the diverse collective chaos, and innate volatility.
Contradictions abounded alongside this vision of a balance of power in mind,
Combining to create an ingenious foundation for the future of humankind.
United in this diversity, this statement against separation beckons our liberating re-union,
Appealing to all souls around the globe in one anticipated union.
This is the genius and vision of these prophetic American documents,
Perhaps more philosophical than political, more spiritual than social.
It is little wonder that leagues of nations, continued on to unite nations,
To unearth to such primal visions of our original source of oneness.
I recently heard a politician espouse the importance of balance in serving the publics best interests. He related as to why he often perplexes his own party leadership, and also confuses his opposition detractors.” He insists it is the same reason all persons will potentially work with him, that being he will cooperate with any program or proposal that practically helps the public in a progressive manner. The main point he offered was that “party loyalty is a dangerous tendency when it replaces the basic focus of serving the public good.” He spoke further on “the importance of balance in the body politic, and avoiding polarizing rhetoric which can be harmful to all.” The following apolitical poem addresses this important theme.
I never met a liberal, without a sense of social justice,
Whose motivation was nothing less than to benefit our society.
I have also never met an extremely liberal ideologue,
That was not bordering on loony, like a strong lunar tide,
Drifting ever further away from the mainland they love.
I never met a conservative without concern for the public good,
Of preserving practices that have served society well in the past.
I also have never met an extremely committed conservative,
That was not growing crazier than a cuckoo’s nest,
Flying ever further away from the mainland they love.
I pray our Coast Guard on both coasts
Can faithfully bring them back to the promise,
Harboring our vision for freedom for all,
A better balanced homeland, standing tall.
In the spirit of healing, the following poem was inspired to honor those who by their own free will served in the military in a spirit of courageous service. At the same time, we need to honor the many other individuals who were collaterally impacted by the tragedy of war and it’s far reaching destructive consequences. One individual, a nurse I have known since 1970 typifies this noble intention of self sacrifice at great personal risk. A Viet Nam veteran who rarely speaks of their war experience, once briefly uttered to me about having helplessly witnessed unspeakable horrors inflicted upon fellow beings that no human should ever see or be involved in. I extend my heartfelt healing energy and empathy to those courageous men and women, who may still be dealing with the conflicting emotions of trying to help ones country, while suffering from the various wounds war inflicts upon all those involved, soldier or civilian.
[Dedicated to everyone affected by Viet Nam, and all wars]
I visit the wall, walking by names so fast,
Detailing the death, in the shadows it cast.
Another war’s dead, repeats another past,
The more we sent, the more lives passed.
MIA’s, friendly fire, and the hostile blasts,
It should be brief, only a while would it last.
Prisoners of war, we were all shackled so slow,
Both dove and hawk, would eventually know.
Another man gone, we had viewed each frame,
The list growing long, fingering a pointless blame.
Debating the just causes with political games,
Militaries matched, who ignited these flames?
The heat of hatred, casts a cold irony in stone,
Men returning berated, back home yet alone.
Neither national welcome, nor heroes paraded,
To signs of a killer, they were further degraded.
I visit the wall, walking by names so slowly,
Casting the first stone of granite seems unholy.
Each evening exposed it on the news at six,
National emotions erupted, in an explosive mix.
Parents were split, as sons went off to the war,
With the sun now setting, on their boy no more.
On an eve of darkness, collision and crossfire maim,
These names bear witness, to both pride and shame.
I visit the wall, searching for a schoolmate’s name,
Scanning those engraved, my legs now feeling lame.
A life for just a cause, at such a young age,
Frustrated families, with feelings of outrage!
Outpourings of grief, pour out into the street,
Throughout the nation, a dark hour of defeat.
Defeated by whom, and why and what for?
By enemies abroad, or ourselves on this shore?
I visit the wall, as my memory replays,
Strangely renewed, finally revisiting those days!
To fight like one’s fathers, helping a people in need,
Fighting for democracy, our gift of freedom indeed!
Or was it all evil, disguising some form of greed,
The imposing of wills and the sowing of bad seed?
Can history give answers for our blood and tears?
Could an answer be found, after all these years?
I visited the wall, despite feeling such a fear,
Still sensing a conflict, so many voices to hear.
Why did they go when it could have been me?
What might I have done, to fight or to flee?
To flee the country now, or later the jungle trail,
Remaining free on the run, or at home in my jail?
Could I find a congressman, or some family connection,
To at least defer, or fully avoid such service selection?
I visit the still wall, reflecting the skies dulling haze,
Still wondering if there weren’t, better ways to praise.
Conscientious objections, college and a lottery did tell,
With a high number drawn, your world would be well.
If your number was not up, but that unknown other guy,
As civilians we grew weary, with another day to get by.
I visit a wall of names, wondering all of this and Moore,
A difference between numbers, college, class, and a war.
Sibling argued with sibling, in the ensuing national fight,
Between parents and Sons, there would be no more delight.
Many mothers and fathers could not even bear to talk,
As daughters now joined in the jungles mutual stalk.
Evoking such pain renders no taming of a justified shrew,
Modern day madness, our collective Capulet versus Montague.
Drawing close to the wall, reflecting confusion and tears,
As Uncivil disobedience marked our Civil War’s centennial years.
On an international stage, for all the world to see,
Waging the realities of war, in exposed brutality.
Did we love them and leave them, without a chance,
Or is it all fair in love, and in the wars we romance?
I turned away from the wall, that I had come to view,
To catch my composure, still not knowing all that’s true.
True or False, no leaders left to be believed?
Who murdered our President and a King?
Upon a country’s conscience we still grieve,
Kennedy’s killed, Martin’s martyred voice still sings,
From atop the Mountain, freedom’s bells forever ring,
As the spirit of liberty, Overcomes deaths plotted sting.
In this race of arms, and political deals,
The military is blackened by race and drafting appeals.
In the streets of our nation, patience runs thin,
Our cities ablaze, over the color of skin.
Fighting at home, and over the sea,
Assassinations abounded, no leaders left to oversee.
No righteous convictions, right and left felt wrong,
Citizens sentenced to extremes, with no desire to belong.
At such a young age, we did hear of their fate,
Mirrored back home, by former students at Kent State,
Etched in their respective walls, each death we did date.
Prisoners of war, we were all shackled so slow,
Both the dove and hawk, now knew it was so.
I revisited the wall feeling nameless and alarmed,
This displaying of death, had left all of us harmed.
Recalling safe playgrounds within schoolyard gates,
Where we once played games with these very classmates.
I respectfully touched, honoring their names on the wall,
They touched me back, affirming love gives liberty to all.