Black and white, yellow and red with all blends in sight
I saw America gathered together as one people on the lawn
Children of integration, people of hope, “silver spoons,” and ghetto moms
I saw America gathered with joy stretched and reaching
College Students, blue collar workers, business men, and teachers
I saw America gathered “One Nation Under God”
People of all faiths, people of no faith, all with hope for what the future holds
I saw America gathered a shining light to the world
Examples of hope, oneness, unity, and love, speaking with one voice
I saw America gathered watching History on a new track
Bringing down walls of race and fear that for too long held us back
I saw America gathered fulfilling ancestral dreams
Of Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King
I saw America gathered to let the whole world know
That differences can be transcended and peace can be attained.
I saw America gathered and it made me very proud
To be part of this great country where voices can be heard loud
I saw America gathered and I prayed, that God would give
Our new president wisdom. as on this difficult path we live
I saw America gathered together as he spoke
With humility and pride, confidence and strength, wrapped in words of hope
I saw America gathered, eager to open a new door
Not black or white, rich or poor, simply Americans
…and nothing more!
*Back in 2008 after the disastrous Bush years of the invasion of Iraq, I and many other Americans were drawn in by Obama’s message of Hope and Change. Although the “Hope and Change” did not turn out the way I had anticipated, watching the crowd who came out to see President elect Obama at Grant park in 2008, to me, was a very moving experience. Immediately following I was inspired to write this poem at midnight as I watched it play out live on TV.
Sadly the desire to work together was immediately crushed by partisan politics, both then and now. Division and polarization has brought great harm to the country. Many of the dreams expressed in Grant Park that election eve seem to have gone up in political smoke!
Now, as President Biden begins his term, many of these dreams are revisited. This poem is my naïve dream that we could all come together, as they did in Grant Park, to create the Hope and Change our country needed.
Posting this on d’Verse open link night. I read this today on our virtual poetry group this afternoon. It was so great to see and hear everyone who participated.
Join us at: https//dversepoets.com then click Mr. Linkey and read more poems.
Solitude’s wish of winter past… walking with daddy
Painted mirth merged in gouged footprints in the sand
Skulls of saints crushed and ground into nature’s delight
Today at d’Verse, Linda introduced us to Samuel Greenberg, American Poet.
“Samuel Greenberg died of tuberculosis in 1917, at age 23. His childhood was spent in poverty on the Lower East Side of New York City. After leaving school at 14 to begin working, he became ill and spent his final years as a patient in several charity hospitals where he did most of his writing.” https://logopoeia.com/greenberg/index.html
Linda gave us a list of descriptive words from “The pale Impromptu” and asked us to pick five of them and write a poem in any form. The photo was my muse. I took it a couple of summers ago and it has been waiting for this poem! The five I chose start each line of the poem and are in italics.
This past year, I taught my young 14 year old neighbor down the street to play the guitar. He learned very quickly and was soon playing as well as me. A couple of weeks ago he wondered if I could paint a 1970 Chevelle Super Sport for him. I told him to bring me a picture of the car and I would see what I could do. I finally finished it yesterday. He was very happy with it.
As the cold of winter sets in
Warm your heart at the fires of passion.
Search out people of authenticity
Those who dare to live and bare it all.
Warm your spirit with Words of Life
And music that stirs your soul.
Live the life of your dreams // while you can;
Appreciate the passion of your children.
Stir joy and happiness into the smiles
Of your grandchildren;
For without family, the fires of passion
Tend to go out.
When we were visiting the Oregon Coast, we saw this set of bushes decorated with every kind of float you could imagine. They won’t need to decorate for Christmas. This colorful display will do just fine!
I’ve lived many lifetimes // dreamed many dreams
All in seventy-two years // a short span it seems;
Events occur //dreams often changed
Beyond my control // life gets rearranged.
Illness, accidents, joys and sorrows, death and so much more
Created a roller coaster ride in my life // that’s for sure.
Faith and family children and friends
Supported us through that dark night of the soul;
When joy returned and things were great…
They cheered us even more.
As I look back // reflect over all these years
The choices I’ve made through rain and tears;
I’m thankful I hung in there and stayed the course;
For in joy and pain we still have a choice.
I’m now reaping the benefits of redefined dreams;
After seventy-two years sailing life’s streams.
