Saturday, July 3, 2010

Land that I love


Land that I love
Originally uploaded by Kudzu and Koolaid
i am free

but not without cost...
men and women, both brave and frightened

crossed and ocean
and set forth on this continent
a new nation...
my nation.

the struggle,
the hardships,
the plight
all carved the path
so that today, I walk around

free

and from battlefields
among fallen bands of brothers
from jungles
deserts
watery graves
and the mountains of Iwo Jima-
flag waving, proclaiming proudly

your gift is freedom

she welcomes them
tired and poor
those yearning to be free

free to...
say
do
be
think
believe...

even if it opposes the very essence of what our country was founded upon...

free
means
free

and i am thankful

in my sights
a lady greets me
beautifully aged
gracefully carrying herself
as only one who has watched her children grow...
some to make her proud,
other to make her question her abilities,
can walk.

she embraces me
and she whispers...

Freedom
my gift to you is
Freedom

-cjb

Happy Birthday, America

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