Our Collective Shame

By our actions we are known, William. We can sit and lament the "shame of our country" or we can rise up and let our light shine, however dim it may be, and take back that which has been taken away from us. If each and everyone of us just held our little candle high and spoke out for "the little guy", perhaps things would change.

Each week day morning I with my little ones pledge to the flag and I tell them stories of what kind of country they should work to build...one where color, gender or religion should not matter...where a person is allowed to have their own private thoughts...where those that have should be care takers for those that have nothing. By example, William, we can change the world. Light your candle, William, I am beside you.

excellent poem.... last letter of the last two lines should be n though, perhaps?

You have certainly written quite honestly what is on the minds of many Americans. What bothers me is that with all of the travels, and all of the conversations, I do not hear too much from any Candidate that addresses these feelings that so many have. They who make all the rules, who run the "Activities Program" for our government, appear to be unable to hear our complaints. You did a fine job WIlliam of letting those feelings out. Ellen B

amen, amen, AMEN, William...once again you have put into words a great truth...a sad one, to be sure.................

Right (Write) On!

William, This is a powerful poem. I haven't given up hope yet but there is much in our country that brings a tear to my eye. I still love this land and I am proud to be an American, there is no place I would rather be.

William - the rage so many people feel now should be cause for celebration. We know that the numbers exist to unite and speak a meaningful voice for change. I often feel defeated when I see the merry-go-round of empty sound bytes that masquerades as an electoral process, but, as Elizabeth so wisely points out (or is it Bob - that whole thing really confuses me) our choices are to lie down, go to war, or work for change. I support the latter, no matter how futile it might seem. It's always darkest before the dawn, right?

On a critical note, I thought this piece had a lot of passion and energy, and that came through loudly, on an important topic worthy of expression and discussion.

In the first Stanza, I think you misuse the word disclaim. Disclaim means to give up, to renounce a right, not to have it stripped from you.

In Stanza 2 I think you lose a little steam by virtue of the fact that you are being very vague. "Minor wrongs," "explore life in an alternative way," aren't very clear to me. Are you referring to underage drinking? Smoking pot? Lighting cats on fire on Halloween? Worse? The lack of focus here deflates your impact for me.

Finally, I think comparing the US unfavorably with the Nazi's is a bit hyperbolic. Even if you can find a snippet of policy that out of context seem to favor Hitler's Germany, the overarching weight of evil that Nazism represents makes this comparison scream out at you, and takes away from your otherwise fine piece.

Another wonderful poem. I admire your talent.

Nice poem, William! Please don't e-mail me about my nice comment.

Elaine B, I never would think of doing so.

Tom, I very much appreciate your critique and will do an edit soon. Some of the news I read last night just set off anger sparking in me.

As always, you are well versed, and write so beautifully This piece proberly describes the vast majority of Americans feelings, at this time. I pray with time, that we can rise up, and change the social injustices, that plague our country.

I think that Tom Curl raises some very valid points but overall I agree with your message.

Our country has never reached the standards that you describe here but they are certainly goals worth striving for. Maybe one day we will come closer to achieving them.

I would also like to state, that it is my belief, that the vast majority of our countries ills stem from, the people, we have in government. Politicians, and their own agendas, for the most part have, been put before, what is best for the American people. The corruption, that abounds, in most governing bodies, has created, much of the problems, our country has to deal with also. We as Americans, need to take back our country, by standing up, and doing whatever can be done, to get this country back on track.
Despite, the problems we face, I am still proud to be an American! And God Bless our soldiers!

Excellent poem and comments here William. I think just as Bob has written - let's each light a candle - start with the family - then the neighborhood - we are each a tiny beacon of light - oh don't thnk I don't know about injustices especially dealing with attorneys - I'm from the South, you know - but I won't give up - I will be all I can be and never be defeated...We need to take back OUR POWER in all situations - each one of us needs to be all we can be as individuals. Have Faith...Salud.

And, God Bless Our Soldiers - Salud.

I am still proud to be an American, but wish it was what it started out to be. A great Nation with great leaders, that wanted it to be productive. I say stick with the Pledge of Allegiance and dont give up your faith in God. He may decide to stay in America and give us a leader thAt will lead us back to Victory as a Nation.

Well done, William! We have much to be ashamed of and much to change and improve. Our country is far from perfect ... but I would still rather be an American than a citizen of any other country in the world. My husband and I have raised two amazing children and they give me tremendous hope for the future. My son is an editor of the Minnesota Daily (the University of Minnesota campus newspaper) and writes boldly about the injustices he sees in the world.

William, much of what you say here is true and obvious...

Some of my word choices offended some people and I never wish to offend, so I made an edit that I hope makes this poem better.

What would our Founding Fathers have to say about
gov'ment in this day and age????

Well said. It notes the sad state of affairs in our land. Don't get me wrong I love our country, but don't love what our leaders do. Write on, keep it in front of us.

William, you are so right on with this poem, and I am listening to Billy going on and on about the freedoms and the ones we are about to lose, it seems we must all stand up and say NO to some of the things we are being told has to be so. This is supposed to be a Government Of the People, For the People and By the people, I may have that mixed up, but I believe we are losing ground fast, and Billy is worried about his children, if things are not brought to some kind of halt, in our loss of our constitutional rights, I fear we might see an uprising in our youth, maybe it is time for that, I hope not, but we can talk about it until we are blue in the face, but must do something, action speaks louder than words, you can't get anyone to listen, they might see.

Bill, this edit does indeed make it better - more to the point, it is also the TRUTH!!

Good job of editing William.

This was a powerful poem, I read it twice and I agree with you. You always write so well, I like to read them again before I comment.

Wow! Don't know what else to say except you remind me there's hope because there's folk like you out there.

Great cry for moral re-armament Bill.
Many countries need this and not only the US.

I've this feeling that your country is being more and more run by a central govt. I think that a basic rule for good governance is minimum governmet. Each State should govern itself except for a few nationwide activities.

I didn't see this before the edit, so don't know what you changed. I have to agree with you that our government is out of control and needs to be reined in. I'm not sure how this is going to be done but just hope it happens for the sake of my grandchildren.

The US was founded on awesome ideals and I think there are many people who still want those ideals to be achieved.

Awesome and amen, William! Thank you!

So good and true.