through the cons and the fright,
how so loudly we failed
to make real our past dreaming?
All the hype and fast cars
made us think we were right,
as our futures we botched
we gave in to fresh scheming.
And do we even dare
in the mirror, to stare,
and dispute, if not fight,
that we don't even care?
We'll pay if that star spangled banner
if only for a few waves,
o'er the land of the greed
and the home of the slaves.
The truth of much of our history and present.
ReplyDeleteOUCH! Cynicism based on reality, I fear.
ReplyDeleteOh my, you have spared no mercy. Our North American lifestyle, whose cost is becoming increasingly apparent.
ReplyDeleteAnd do we even dare
ReplyDeletein the mirror, to stare,
and dispute, if not fight,
that we don't even care?
These lines, they make me contemplate... not just about freedom...
Leo @ I Rhyme Without Reason
Hmmmm... :-)
ReplyDeleteZQ
You're brave! Well penned.
ReplyDeleteI second Rosemary...wowzers...
ReplyDeleteHa ha. This is awesome. :) Fantastic title! So clever.
ReplyDeleteWow, bold and, sadly, a little too close to the mark!
ReplyDeleteDifferent take on the Star Spangled Banner. No, we are not perfect but neither is anyone else.
ReplyDeleteBeyond wordsmithing, you have morphed into word bender! So very & wonderfully cynical, soaked in sonorous sarcasm, dipped in the devil's dew, you courageously speak big Truth through the smiling lips of levity.
ReplyDeletethe land of the greed
ReplyDeleteand the home of the slaves. ... ouch - that is painful
it's sad to see sometimes how some words were emptied of their meaning during the years and even turned into the contrary - the good thing is that every single person within a nation can make a difference and help that those stars shine brighter again
The hope and ideals of any anthem is often shattered by reality... I just hope the anthem mark true ideals... and not false history.
ReplyDeleteYou've written the bitter truth. It's painful to see it in writing with our anthem as the tune. I hope it's rewritten some day with a sweeter truth.
ReplyDeleteYes.. sadly.. it seems.. Freedom is
ReplyDeleteForgotten.. Lost. for so Many..
and
caDilLac's
drive
on..:)
Well, yes.....good points.
ReplyDeletereading it for the second time & i think "the land of the greed" is everywhere...bold lines...
ReplyDeleteStar spangled "bender" 'twas a drinking song, after all. But don't drag our flag in the gutter...
ReplyDeleteOuch! Too true that often what we sing or speak is so different from what we live. If nothing else, hopefully your words are a rallying cry to do better!
ReplyDeleteOur society in Australia is close enough to yours for this to resonate. It's a terrific poem, pulling no punches and brilliantly crafted.
ReplyDeletePS Couldn't get linky right; mine is here: ttp://passionatecrone.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/who-come-waltzing-matilda-with-me.html
ReplyDeletehonest criticism can help to heal and improve oneself
ReplyDeleteForged from the love of liberty
my post was too late for the DVerse linky
much love…