Scribblings

For the historical ache, the ache passed down
which finds its circumstance and becomes
the present ache, I offer this poem

without hope, knowing there's nothing,
not even revenge, which alleviates
a life like yours. I offer it as one

might offer his father's ashes
to the wind, a gesture
when there's nothing else to do.

Still, I must say to you:
I hate your good reasons.
I hate the hatefulness that makes you fall

in love with death, your own included.
Perhaps you're hating me now,
I who own my own house

and live in a country so muscular,
so smug, it thinks its terror is meant
only to mean well, and to protect.

Christ turned his singular cheek,
one man's holiness another's absurdity.
Like you, the rest of us obey the sting,

the surge. I'm just speaking out loud
to cancel my silence. Consider it an old impulse,
doomed to become mere words.

The first poet probably spoke to thunder
and, for a while, believed
thunder had an ear and a choice.

God Bless The U.S.A. Words and Music by Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone I?d worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I?d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
?Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can?t take that away.

And I?m proud to be an American where at least I know I?m free.
And I won?t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I?d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
?Cause there ain?t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there?s pride in every American heart,
and it?s time to stand and say:

I?m proud to be an American where at least I know I?m free.
And I won?t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I?d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
?Cause there ain?t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.