Home of the Brave

When and how will it end?

Beautiful for spacious skies,

oh Father hear your children's cries.

How can we change the hearts of men

who are addicted to greed, who glorify guns?

Entrenched in sadness and filled with fear

when mournful cries fall on those deaf ears.

We march, we protest, we pray out loud

with clenched fists but with heads bowed.

We talk, we listen yet go on heeding

those vile words, Lord stop the bleeding.

Holding children in cages, what have we become?

Putting 'his' America first is not my home.

We are still one nation, patriots too,

but the air is thick with political spew.

Have we lost sight of loving one another,

treating friends and neighbors like leftover fodder?

Feeling lost and  searching for answers today

to keep America free and home of the brave.

Author's Note

Made some changes from my first draft, including the title. Trying to remain positive but feeling hopeless today.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

A strong write Dara on the political situation in the States. We have our own problems over here at the moment in the UK too. The most vulnerable in our society should always be cared for, that message seems to have gone astray with politicians nowadays. We have forgotten how to look after one another and be kind. I enjoyed the composition and style of your writing, even though the message was sombre.

All good wishes

Chris

[Dara]

Thank you so much Christine. It appears to be a very sad trend these days and that we are all in the same boat. My hope is people will wake up and when it comes time to vote, do the right thing. What every happened to the 'Golden Rule'? Your message made my day. I hope you have a good day and even better weekend :-)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. Have a good week-end yourself Dana :)

[Tony]

This is a timely write. Words that need to be heard!
Write on!

[Dara]

Thank you for your words of encouragement. It helps to put these feelings into writing. Great to see you here as well!

[Tate Morgan]

This is dear to my heart and I certainly feel the same well written and thought out the meter flows well

[Dara]

Thank you, I am so glad you can relate. We live in perilous times and I keep looking for the light at the end of the tunnel but so far it keeps getting darker. Let’s pray the truth will soon be revealed and we will all be set free. Great to see you here!

[Carthage Thorne| The Wi..]

Wow! This is a very impactful piece of poetry. Really like how it begins like the song, however then delves deep into the issues and feelings for the country/nation as a whole. Also giving thoughtfulness to what ought to change. This is a very emotional piece as well, pretty intense overall. Well done!

[Dara]

Thank you so much. I remember the day I wrote I was feeling pretty emotional so I guess it shows. Writing is also cathartic for me and it helped to relieve some of the pent up emotions that were brewing.

[Carthage Thorne| The Wildcard]

That's great. Writing is indeed a wonderful way of expressing those emotions and is a good outlet for it.

[John the Baptist]

This offering reflects the feeling of many these days. However, we must recall the country survived the Civil War, the Great Depression, two world wars, Vietnam and Watergate. This is but another passing phase. The words of the poem convey the poet's anguish well.

[Dara]

So true! Perhaps this is a case of what doesn’t kill us will make us stronger. It certainly seems many have been shaken from a sleep of complacency. Great to see your words of wisdom and reminder of our nation’s resiliency. Thank you so much!

[Crosby Idasa]

Such an interesting poem... Have we lost sight of loving one another,
treating friends, family and neighbors like leftover fodder?
Feeling lost and searching for answers today! Is there any need to search for answers today or tomorrow? The world was created with love and in love, but the dark powers changed that love to hate! The world will be a better place again but we just have to change ourselves and try to do the right thing

[Dara]

Yes, you are so right. The change must come from within and if you are a spiritual person, believe in the power of prayer. We cannot change the world on our own nor change the hearts of some men. Perhaps the answer will come in the form of our youth. My grandson has a shirt that has the words "The Future" on it. He is sensitive to others and very loving at just two years of age. We can only hope. Thank you so much for this wonderful review.

[Crosby Idasa]

you are welcome my dear...

[Onlyme]

This is quite humbling. As to how counties and great nations have changed over time like America for one. How humans are turning on each other, no love compassion or warmth. And your poem speaks out loud to me about this. As my interpretation.

[Dara]

I wish I knew the answer. It is said to us to go out and vote to make a difference and yet I wonder.... The system is malfunctioning big time.Thank you so much for taking the time to read and digest my poem!

[Onlyme]

I understand you full. Same thing happening here in UK. We are sinking fast. Once great now a sad state of affairs.

[NotUsinganymore]

Nice, although I am clueless in what's happening with America though! How come America hasn't changed it?

[Dara]

Unfortunately it seems that all of this was brewing and now reaching a nasty head. It is my hope that in time all will straighten itself out. I just hope it is not to late to save our face in respect to the rest of the world.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Dara... when we use tear gas around children and pilgrims... we need to reflect and be Brave to speak and bring to the forefront that there is another way... a bright new day..,
to ask for forgiveness. I am brought to my knees in prayer. Amen

[Dara]

Your words speak volumes, Pat. This is not a time to remain silent for sure. I so appreciate you reading my poem and sharing your thoughts. Let us hope that a better time comes soon!

[Einstein Noodle]

the thread of your theme is not political says i! ;) it is moral and ethical ...and as we all know religion and politics do not mix...unless the individual stands strong ... your social commentary is pointed and the position of your speaker clear .. i like this President .. what he has accomplished in such a short time is incredible ... speaking economically ... and he simply doesn't care about the vicious attacks on his character and family which are non-stop ... the responsibility to love our neighbors is a call eternal ...we fall short all the time ... even God can not legislate it ... as the Command says "Love thy neighbor" ...and the worship of anything will corrupt it....love of money...love of fame, power etc .. and the worship of guns .. so i agree (not that it matters much) but i have a concealed carry licence, i practice at our nearby range regularly and i do carry it with me at all times ...i don't expect to ever have a need to use it ...in the same way one has a spare tire and jack in the trunk .... i don't worship it ;) the form and cadence is strong..rhyming is so natural i had to go back and see what rhyme you did ... i love the closing verse .. it wraps up a very divided time in America and the solution ... we all need to quiet down...let our process work ... have Faith ..and vote vote vote .... brave post Dara ...i am sure many will agree with the totality of its message ... love love love and peace dear friend ..
E.
ps really like your new avatar ... radiant smile dahlink!

[Dara]

Ah dear friend, your honesty and wisdom are so refreshing and needed at times like this. Lately I am more concerned with the way the country has become so divided. It is going to take a lotta love and compromise to pull ourselves together. As you say, we all need to quiet down and perhaps listen to that still small voice in all of us that tells us everything is going to be alright. Such a blessing to see your words here today! Take care and thank you for the compliment. Made me feel like a young girl again. ;-)

[Einstein Noodle]

YES....100% YES! the rhetoric is vicious, and without facts most of the time .. its like lets all just look at the shiny thing in the corner over there! who cares about facts ... and you are a young girl aren't you?!! :))))))))))))))))))))) hugs Dara ... we are getting to be "old" friends though!