America once was
everybody’s friend–
with gorgeous power &
diplomatic clout.
everyone trusted her
to be moral in a way
that countrys rarely are.
she was not perfect,
but there were days
when her soul would
shine.
she was young––
but with a conscience;
strong, but
responsible––
like a parent
in love with all
children.
what went wrong
that our diplomats
are suddenly unwelcome
& our president
has only one true
friend?
it took gibbon
six painful volumes
to chart the fall
of the roman
empire…
after the turn
of the American Century
it took six short years
to drag
our grand republic
so far
down.
for those who care
for this earth & love
children, it is time
to pray––
not to a smug god
who looks so terribly
like your
self––
but for forgiveness––
to drop all national
vanity––
& to soften
our human heart
so others can let us
back
in.