Home of the Brave

I wrote this poem when the government was starting to put children in cages. I have modified it in response to the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas.

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, some listen
yet go on heeding
those vile words,
Lord stop the bleeding.
No child is safe,
the families weep
We’ve lost our way,
we’re in too deep.

Another school shooting?
We are outraged!
We are stunned!
Still more children dying
at the hand
of a gun.
“Pray for the families”
The senators might say
but cast their vote,
they look away.

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.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

let's have more guns...second ammendment...guard it with intensity....but to hell with our children who are dying in these shootings...innocent kids who never get the chance to grow up.
This is such a good poem...I feel so angry about all of it....there is a shooting every week...
and most of the time it is in schools...
some education...
j.

[Dara]

It’s a living nightmare. We seem to keep spinning our wheels and in the meantime nothing comes of it. I have a lot of anger building up about it too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Jacob. Writing will not solve the problem but at least it draws attention to it. Take care!

[The_Ancient_Rock]

I got a solution for y'all...

Force them all to smoke a lot of pot!!!

That usually does the trick.

Don't mind me... I'm wasted,

Yes... terrible tragedies.

Real life, real people, real blood... tragedies.

The world at times...

A damn Greek Tragic-Comedy.

[Dara]

I think John Lennon would have agreed with you. ;-)

[The_Ancient_Rock]

Huh... maybe... I don't like John Lennon...

Both him and Paul Mccartney were very disrespectful to all the...

Jewish people and their suffering.

No! A right way to do things and a damn wrong way!!!

See... Dolores Mary O'Riordan... song...

The Cranberries...

I just shot John Lennon!!! And I'm damn proud of it!!!

That's how it goes. ;)

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

Your poem is a powerful and moving call to action in the face of the senseless violence and tragedy that we see all too often in our world. The way that you describe the despair and frustration that many people feel in the face of these tragedies is both poignant and heartfelt, and I think your words will resonate with many who share your concerns. The lines "How can we change the hearts of men who are addicted to greed, who glorify guns?" are a stark reminder of the deep-seated problems that underlie the issue of gun violence in our society, and the need for real change at the systemic level. Your use of language and imagery is both evocative and precise, and I think your poem captures the essence of what it means to be a concerned citizen in a way that is both insightful and moving. Overall, I think your poem is a beautiful tribute to the power of words and the importance of speaking out against injustice, and I hope that it inspires others to take action in their own communities.

[Dara]

Your words are both so insightful and moving as well. While it seems impossible to make changes given the way our government is set up at least we have the freedom to speak out. It is great to see you here! Thank you for your support and thoughts shared.

[The_Ancient_Rock]

Indeed Dara!

I'm not American or an U.S.A. citizen or even resident... lol

But I agree entirely... with all nations!

Great poetry!!!

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Dara... Prayer is powerful and can change the Cold-hearted Leaders and Politicians. Many are faithful to our Flag; however, others have been possessed with Evil... and we can change their Hearts with Prayer. My Motto is: "I though so unworthy... still am a Child of His Care". May your Season of Giving be worth more than Gold. tenderly, Pat

[Dara]

You are so right Pat. In times such as these it’s seems like prayer is the best we can do. I believe in it wholeheartedly. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I hope you have a very happy, joyful holiday seadon.

[The_Ancient_Rock]

Yes Dara... I do hope... exactly the same.

Prayer... indeed.

;)

[Lisasview]

Feeling like we are helpless to create a safer world is so terrible. The best we can do is to teach our children what is right and what is wrong. But then again who knows... Guns are such an issue...not really where we are in Spain... thank G...but as an American we do worry about the craziness...Schools really should be safe haven for children..but it isn't...
Lisa, now in Spain

[Dara]

My grandson starts kindergarten in the fall and I am really dreading it. Until the laws change (ie ban assault rifles for civilians) it feels hopeless. I do appreciate your input. Thank you!

[Lisasview]

Oh, gosh do not dread your grandson going to kindergarten... use that energy to teach him right and wrong and not to make him fearful. It is interesting how a parent or grandparent can instil fear in a youngster...maybe not saying anything but just feeling worried, which a child senses.
It does feel hopeless... and the truth is laws are not going to change. BUT, we can not isolate ourselves in a bubble ... as I said the best thing is staying positive. and aware.
Lisa

[Dara]

Oh, I definitely wouldn’t let him see it. It’s just hard not to be concerned for the little ones. I used to teach and have been through lockdowns. The same thing goes for your students.

[Lisasview]

Thank you Dara, Good to know ...
Lisa, in Galicia

[The_Ancient_Rock]

My God... was it always this bad?

Well... maybe so... beats me.

Hope you all stay well and safe!

Powers... Devours.

[Lisasview]

Wow I wrote that review about 8 months ago!! So happy to know you read it.
I think you might really like my poem Awaken
Please let me know,
Lisa

[The_Ancient_Rock]

Thank You Lisa.

I promise I will look up for it.

Stay well and safe!read moreThank You Lisa.

I promise I will look up for it.

Stay well and safe!

Blessed be!!!

[Lisasview]

Oh good.. thank you

[The_Ancient_Rock]

;)

Sure... anytime.

[Coyote Poetry]

Me too dear Dara.
"Feeling lost and searching
for answers today
to keep America free
and home of
the brave."
We are led by bought men and women. Cigarettes, Alcohol and guns contractors own our leader. It is our fault. Take millions of dollars to run for office. Good men/women cannot be bought and few can win. Outstanding poetry my friend.
Coyote

[Dara]

The last several lines in your review are so insightful and profound my friend! I can see a poem in there ready for you to write. Thank you so much for your visit and thoughts to share.

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my pleasure and you are welcome, dear Dara.

[supernova_thoughts]

Dara, this is how deeply disturb the world feels now. I admire how excellently you brought out the essence of it. I hope one day we can take a breath of relief and think about all these as if it is in the past.

[Dara]

I hope so too. An official from England had insight into the US still being a young country relative to many others in Europe and around the world and going through ‘growing pains.’ I wish I could believe it but we must always hope that change for the better can and will take place. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.

[supernova_thoughts]

I hope and will pray that it will. Till then let's have the hope put down in words for others to have something to hold onto

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Dara, I hear you and all poets will hear you. I wish those who have it in their power to stop this awfulness where money and greed are put before the lives of Little children as well as adults. We have our own problems in the UK but gun crime isn't one of them. We look at the numbers of deaths in schools in the USA and are left speechless. When the Dunblane massacre took place over here years ago, laws were changed. There have been no further incidents in schools. A powerful write which you convey with passion. Hope you are OK dear Dara.

Chris

[Dara]

Dear Chris, thank you for your words of support. Somehow Australia was able to do the same. My feeling is ‘the right to bear arms’ has been misconstrued over the years and people have interpreted it to fit their own agenda. I pray to God this type of horror does not happen again but then my faith in the ‘system’ is waning fast. Thank you again for your kind concern. We just have to keep trying to make the change. Take care!!

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Unfortunately it’s not just the school and other mass shootings it’s the unseen of kidnapped missing children lost never to be seen again suffering intolerable existence then deaths I can’t imagine why the govts are not doing more but then again they are all somewhat involved I hate to say it but we know what corruption there is
Great write ✍️

Ps I mean not just usa it’s worldwide with people trafficking

[Dara]

Exploited and missing children, human trafficking in general is like a cancer to the whole of mankind. Losing a child to gun violence is horrific and losing a child period is unimaginable. I can’t think of a pain deeper than having your child kidnapped and never knowing where they are. It’s sad to say but their is a lot of sickness in this world. Just what the answer is I don’t know but we must keep looking and trying to find a way out. So good to see you again. I hope life is treating you well ‘down under.’

[Einstein Noodle]

powerful and emotive dear friend Dara! so great to see you post anew! i have to respond, however, it was not a greedy man who murdered those children .. it was a mentally disturbed individual ... for me the strength of your poem is that our hearts are an issue .. always have been and always will be says i! :( the school video should have been monitered, the door should have been closed and locked .. (a teacher proped it open for who knows what insanity) the young man who murdered those children posted his intent .. far more questions for parents and friends to answer than an inanimate weapon ... i so agree with the "political spew" .. we, it seems, are taken for idiots ... lots of points made in "Home of the Brave" .. the sarcastic irony is stunning in just that title says i! i hope you feel better in the writing .. take hope ... stay safe and carry a big stick
E.

[Dara]

Hello my friend. So true that there are other factors involved but to me it seems that the politicians who are mostly wealthy are not taking it seriously enough. We need to have laws that make it harder if not impossible for certain individuals to get ahold of these types of assault weapons. The other missteps involved are so tragic as well. I just pray it never happens again. Yes, I keep my big stick handy. Great analogy dear E :-)

[Einstein Noodle]

there are laws and flags that should have prevented him from committing murder. i don't think there will ever be a place that plugs all the holes people drop through ... far more murders occur using a hand gun than the AR ... it doesn't seem to matter about those deaths ... to the politicians that love to make use of the tragedies like that in Texas ... i am glad you do keep your guard up .. it's never been a safe world .. the minute we stepped out of the cave death and mayhem waited .. it's our hearts need the changes isn't it!? :(

[Dara]

Therein lies the real challenge. As Christ said, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”
Romans 13:12

[Einstein Noodle]

yes! how our Lord Jesus Christ loves us all and generously blesses us with the means to change into more our Creator's plan for us ... rather than our own .. thanks so much for sharing Dara! love and peace :)