My home and my heart, my America; here I choose to make my stand. Where laughing waters rush endlessly across rich and fertile lands. Mighty canyons sculpt deep your breast, proud mountains crown your brow. God has smiled at you, and touched your face, and He smiles upon you now.
Your rivers and your bayous reach their arms out to the sea, and touch the spirits of our fathers and the souls of men like me. You have borne us, and have kept us, and I would die to keep you free; but should I fall tomorrow One million more would stand for me.
The soaring hawk, and silver wings patrol your azure skies. Over rolling hills, over furrowed fields the Dove with the Eagle flies. Dancing through wooded hollows plays the song of the whippoorwill; and America calls me to follow. And I have, and I would. And I will.
To the world you may be but one person. But to one person, you may be the world.
As a Brit...who can...maybe....on occasion..possibly...perhaps......have rather a different view of America (gulp...careful where those bricks are aimed!), I would just like to say BRAVO!
Your poem is beautiful and rousing to the point where even I felt patriotic!
xxxpinkiexxx
"He has the deed half done who has made a beginning.." Horace
Another wonderful piece, kenyj.. Much as Pinkie, being as I am not from the US,(I'm Irish but I live in Scotland) I have always held to a different and sometimes not too complimentary view of America and her citizens. This, as with pretty much all erroneous opinions, was born out of ignorance,because for much of my life I was only viewing America from a distance through the eyes of TV, or News, only meeting Americans as 'tourists' in the most superficial manner.
Since I have 'grown up' a bit, (although some would dis-agree with that I have,ever!! ) and have worked with and gotten to know many more Americans on a personal level, socially and professionally, my opinion has (thankfully for me)changed and grown too.
Even though I'm not a US citizen, the passion you have for your contry ,even makes me feel proud..... Well Done , and God Bless America!
I'm sure someone is going to chime in, and berate you for writing such a patriotic and positive piece about your country. Shame on you, for actually appreciating the benefits that are America. How dare you suggest that the USA is a good place to live.
And thank you. It's a pleasure to read something positive for a change. When the America-bashing begins (from citizens and non-citizens alike) - I'll be taking up arms right next to you!
----- If you're offering me diamonds and rust I've already paid
[This message was edited by rhon831 on 02-20-02 at 12:09 PM.]
Thanks Ken. I'll read this about ten times just before I pay my taxes. I think it will help the pain. Well done as always. And thank you for serving in the armed forces for all of us.
I can trace my lineage back to King Lear's fool, so it is genetic. Nick
A wonderful tribute to the USA, I'm always coming in after all the good comments have been made. Well, I had to respond, it's too good not to. Thank you.
A millenium ago, when I was in grade school, I had to learn a poem about America and about going home to her:
"In the blessed land of room enough beyond the ocean bars, where the air is full of sunlight, and the flag is full of stars."
It was much longer, but I marvel that your writing even brought back this fragment. Powerful! Patriotism was to be engendered in every youthful heart, often by means of poems, songs, literature... and parents who beat the drums of freedom before their listening watching offspring.
I sometimes do not know where to begin thanking each of you, but I do know where to begin today.
PINKIE AND EMERALD CITIZEN - I was at first a little hesitant to post this poem. It is patriotic, and I know each citizen of each country feels much the same way. Down, not so deep, we are all much more similar than dissimilar. We all want what we believe to be right, and for honest and just reasons, and more often than not, for noble reasons. Americans have no monopoly on patriotism. We should not. I am glad that you have come to know us better. Emerald Citizen, God bless America indeed. God bless us all.
AIRE - You and I have had the same thoughts before. I sometimes believe I share thoughts with many people.
RHON - I do not believe there will be any America bashing. I honestly think there are many Pinkies and Emerald Citizens out there. We, too, are often limited in this age of information, to the information we see on TV or read in the paper. Sometimes a demonstration of 100 people can draw international attention. I am, however, somewhat concerned with the revisionist history that is being taught in our universities.
SURGEON - I believe I'll wait and read the poem after I do my taxes. Uncle Sam is performing a quadruple by-pass on my wallet this year.
LIMN - I would like to read the rest of that poem. Thank you.
One more thing I wanted to bring up - the title of my post was "insert your country here." The meaning was two-fold. First, with a few minor changes here or there, this poem could be about a lot of countries. God blessed America, but He did not stop here. Secondly, I also know there are many countries that would indeed want to "insert their country here." God bless us all.
To the world you may be but one person. But to one person, you may be the world.
wow u must really like ur country. im from britain and i've never even been to america so i cant say if i disagree or agree but i really enjoyed the poem. it reminded me of hyms (im not too sure how to spell that,) that we used to sing at primary school. i can just imagine a school having that as their school song or whatever. thanku i really liked it. ~flyinghigh
Posts: 103 | Location: the outside | Registered: 12-23-01
quote:Originally posted by kenyjackson: My home and my heart, my America; here I choose to make my stand. Where laughing waters rush endlessly across rich and fertile lands.
Your rivers and your bayous reach their arms out to the sea, and touch the spirits of our fathers and the souls of men like me. You have borne us, and have kept us, and I would die to keep you free; but should I fall tomorrow One million more would stand for me.
The soaring hawk, and silver wings patrol your azure skies. Over rolling hills, over furrowed fields the Dove with the Eagle flies. Dancing through wooded hollows plays the song of the whippoorwill; and America calls me to follow. And I have, and I would. And I will.
KJ, took me a while to respond but I did. I tried to pick out the lines I liked best and ended up with almost the whole poem! But the last two lines mean a lot to me. It's nice to know some of the people who came before me in defending our great country. Thanks so much for this insight into how you and I are alike.
Touching the souls of women like me, We hold our heads up proud, Moving forward to meet your gaze, We'll never back down!
Harv
FOG The fog comes on little cat feet.
It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.
Carl Sandburg
Well, Well, this fire was more funner then proper grammer anyway
Nelly Furtado- Well, Well
The End
Posts: 4506 | Location: Earth, Milky Way | Registered: 11-29-01
*whines* Everyone already said what I wanted to. Wonderful writing, fantastical topic, God bless America, etc.
lol, thanks for sharing! Have a fantastical day!
'Tis easy enough to be pleasant, When life flows along like a song; But the man worth while is the one who will smile when everything goes dead wrong. Ella Wheeler Wilcox
This piece, along with others...have given a beautiful tribute to the land which i call home.
Thank you for making my heart ache with a pride i enjoy feeling for this country.
These lines especially:
Your rivers and your bayous reach their arms out to the sea, and touch the spirits of our fathers and the souls of men like me. You have borne us, and have kept us, and I would die to keep you free; but should I fall tomorrow One million more would stand for me.
blast ken, you've touched me again.
always ~ duDette (kari) ~~~~****~~~~ Well... All the world is All I am The black of the blackest ocean And that tear in your hand All the world is danglin'... danglin'... danglin' for me darlin'
You don't know the power that you have With that tear in your hand That tear in your hand Tori Amos
What an absolutely incredible poem! The beautiful imagery it conjures up! The descriptive language...breathtaking!!!! Thank you for sharing this fantastic work!!
Posts: 2099 | Location: somewhere over the rainbow | Registered: 06-30-02
I shiver comfortless, but cast No chill across the tablecloth; I, all-forgotten, shivered sad To stay and yet to part how loathe; I passed from the familiar room, I who from love had passed away, Like the remembrance of a guest That tarrieth but a day. -Christina Rossetti,from-At Home
) and have worked with and gotten to know many more Americans on a personal level, socially and professionally, my opinion has (thankfully for me)changed and grown too.
Wonderful writing, fantastical topic, God bless America, etc. 
