Freedom’s Stonewall

America’s Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. (courtesy of Pinterest)

Bruised and battered

Early morn brawl

Knockout punch felt

Still standing tall

 

Battleships crushed

Many lives lost

Never forget

Bearing each cost

 

Nation rallies

Unites as one

Called to duty

Work to be done

 

Together now

Fortitude speaks

Country won’t pause

Week follows week

 

Liberty shines

Courage rises

Grieving each loss

Flag arises

 

Thankful for peace

Remember all

Let’s never rest

Freedom’s stonewall

Washington D.C.: Arlington National Cemetery with the Washington Monument in the background. (courtesy of Pinterest)

This poem references images from World War II, from Pearl Harbor in 1941 to the final surrender in 1945.  America’s Memorial Day is approaching (final Monday in the month of May).  May we always remember the sacrifices of our military personnel in every war fought in this nation’s history.

Democracy’s Open Door

Photo by Matt Barnard on Pexels.com

Challenges shall arise

Founding Fathers always knew

Banking on nation’s resilience

Diligence sees us through

 

Compromise offers path

Democracy’s open door

Common ground must be sown with faith

No longer keeping score

 

Nation’s tomorrow calls

Steering with imperfect hands

Leading always, “Of the People”

Across freedom’s great land

 

With each generation

Grateful nation never bends

Defending democracy’s quest

Freedom’s proud dividend

A shining example of a nation’s perseverance. U.S. Capitol Building’s dome was finished during the American Civil War. (Courtesy of Pinterest)

In his Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln immortalized the continuing spirit and faith in the American experiment of democracy with these words, “. . . that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Alexander Hamilton Quotes

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Those who stand for nothing fall for everything.

I would never expect a perfect work from an imperfect man.

Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804) was one of America’s Founding Fathers.  He served in the Revolutionary War and was the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury.  He was an ardent supporter of the American Constitution.

Small Town America

Main Street in Virginia City, Montana (population 169).

Cherishing small towns

America’s gift

Community pride

Life never adrift

 

Welcoming Main Street

Absent traffic lights

Community hub

Unique stores excite

 

People greet with “hello”

Strangers become friends

Community loves

Caring’s dividends

 

Close-knit neighborhoods

Immaculate yards

Community joy

Beauty fills postcards

 

Town’s crowning jewel

School engages minds

Community guides

Students’ daily grind

 

White wood-framed churches

God’s daily footprint

Community prays

Town’s faithful blueprint

 

First Lutheran Church in Circle, Montana (population 591).

We the People

Courtesy of Pinterest..

“We the People” drafted

Constitution crafted

 

Forefathers build nation

Democracy’s station

 

Living in common cause

Unity never pause

 

Choosing “We” over “Me”

Finding means to agree

 

America’s ship sails

“We the People” prevails

 

World War II fought and won

Nation working as “One”

 

Sacrifices show pride

Freedom’s devoted ride

 

Imperfect union lives

Unselfish people give

 

What’s happening today?

Are we losing our way?

 

Debating common sense

Rhetoric becomes tense

 

Choosing “Me” over “We”

Lady Liberty flees

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Distant Land

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Nation’s outstretched hand

Shaping distant land

 

Trade benefits both

Bringing steady growth

 

Prosperity’s health

Welcoming new wealth

 

Benevolence molds

Filling now with cold

 

This mighty power

Seeing its plans sour

 

Citizens lack voice

Having little choice

 

Uproar fuels action

Bringing reaction

 

Hostile clouds amass

Reaching dark impasse

 

Big brother nation

Facing frustration

 

Rebels gather ‘round

Fading common ground

 

More Redcoats arrive

Gathering beehive

 

Independence shouts

Calling freedom out

 

Colonists stand firm

Battling to affirm

 

Mother country’s heart

Tearing self apart

 

British might stands down

Watching its meltdown

 

America stands

Molding freedom’s hands

 

Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

Throughout history, many nations have attempted to mold and shape other lands into their own image.  Terms such as imperialism, colonization, and nation building sometimes come to mind.  It is worth noting that the British attempted to establish a foothold on the American continent starting in 1607.  By the mid-1770s, their plans for a continuing American empire were crumbling.  Few, if any other nations, have learned from this lesson in history . . . America included.

America’s Tour (Haiku Series #140)

Hawaii

Breakfast made for kings

Never complete without meat—

Taste “Spam” from a can

Kansas

Fast food history

Wichita’s college brothers—

World’s first Pizza Hut

Michigan

Red, blue, and yellow

Man of Steel’s most favorite—

“Superman” ice cream

All photos are courtesy of Pinterest.

Monday Memories: 60’s Rock America

This poem was crafted and published back in September, 2019.  The words present a memorable discussion of a most significant decade in American history.  The text is shown with its original wording except where the rhyming format needed updating.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

People recall the 60’s, a very “trendy” decade

Rocking America into a new era, never to fade

 

Momentous events and life transformations arrive

Creating a cultural revolution, just trying to survive

 

The youngest President ever elected in this land

Sending JFK with a new generation’s eager hands

 

President Kennedy challenges a waiting nation

Landing on the moon brings wonder and elation

 

Civil Rights for “all” people lights a hope-filled beam

Marching to Washington to hear “I Have a Dream”

 

Ford creates a flashy and stunning sports car

Rolling out the Mustang, best ‘lil pony by far

 

The British invade with innovative music to bring

Introducing the Beatles, their tunes endlessly sing

 

Southeast Asia slowly captures more of a nation’s time

Making Vietnam, a catalyst filling emotions that climb

 

Rock music festival invites all to a muddy field—Woodstock

Continuing to sing his top hits, Elvis Presley’s movies rock

 

Beautiful music and worthy films reach out to all

Singing and acting, Julie Andrews’ fills the call

 

Television comes into its own with new innovation

Viewing “The Fugitive” becomes a nation’s fixation

 

Assassinations tear through a nation, they sadly ring

Losing two Kennedy’s and Dr. King, forever will sting

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.

Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness.  We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love.

The words of Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) continue to reverberate around the world.  In America, we honor his vision of peace, understanding, and justice on the third Monday of every January.  May we all continue to strive for a world filled with the power of love.

Enduring Words

In the United States, the “Pledge of Allegiance” has been recited countless times in school classrooms, at the beginning of meetings, sporting events, and other instances.  The original 29 words were inspired by the writings of Francis Bellamy (from 1892) and became official in 1923.  In 1954, the words, “under God” were added.  These 31 words mean much more than just a mere collection of words.  

Photo by Jonathan Meyer on Pexels.com

I pledge allegiance

 

We the People, commit to stand

With loyalty across this land

 

To the flag

 

Stars and Stripes shall forever fly

Old Glory standing proud and high

 

Of the United States of America

 

Solidarity, stand as One

United, never be undone

 

And to the Republic

 

A more perfect Union shall spring

Shining democracy will ring

 

For which it stands

 

Tested, resilient, and upright

Faithful courage, nation’s birthright

 

One nation under God

 

Built upon God’s eternal love

Divine guidance comes from above

 

Indivisible

 

Inseparable and lasting

Forged by trial and fire’s casting

 

With liberty

 

Covering this land of the free

Freedom from sea to shining sea

 

And justice for all

 

Conquers inequities with care

Truth and righteousness come to bear 

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

I have posted this video before, but it is worth a second look.  Here is American comedian, Red Skelton, sharing his interpretation of the words’ meaning in the “Pledge of Allegiance.”