I Pledge Allegiance

Anti-patriotism

Don’t ask me to pledge

to a bit of worn cloth

Don’t expect my salute

as it waves high above

My allegiance is mine,

not mouthed without thought

I gladly commit to

the causes I love

I pledge allegiance

to the homeless

No place to rest

weary bones

No peaceful nest

no cleansing dreams

Just concrete and

cold paving stones

I pledge allegiance

to the unemployed

Who never chose  

their poverty

Most worked hard

for many years

With delusions of

job security

I pledge allegiance

to the uninsured

Who can’t get coverage

for disease

“A preexisting condition”

seals their fate

And leaves them begging

on their knees

I pledge allegiance

to clean water and air

Wherever we looked

they were all about

But we’ve managed to foul

The core of life

We now live in the midst of

pollution and drought

I pledge allegiance

to battered women

whose husbands

own their wives

Who surrendered illusions

of love long ago

And now hope to escape

with their lives

I pledge allegiance

to children abused

Psychies and bodies,

battered and bruised

Entering the world

as complete innocents

They deserve to be

cherished not to be used

Reviews

[alanwgraham]

This is a powerful riposte to the right to bear arms mentalty. I've often thought we need a new world wide constitution that enshrines the real rights of the common 'man' . How we can get there I've no idea but we ain't got long. Your statement will resonate with many! We have to start with a dream.
Regards
Alan