The Patriot

there’s nothing american
about you
still i can’t help
pledge my allegiance
as you flutter and stutter 
red white
and blue

nothing wide open
about your spaces
still i tumble and slip
and pack for another
dusty dangerous
road trip
across your many faces

your purple mountains lack
majesty 
your heroes lack
my tragedy
your amber waves of pain
are less than wholesome
your sea doesn’t shine
for me

but i want to write an anthem
for your fingers
and start a revolution
with your skin 
and raise an army to do battle
with your natural disasters
and raise taxes to cover the cost
of all your sins

there’s nothing secure about
your endless borders
no sovereign document
to prove your realm or reign 
no coins to fill my palms with
all your wealth

but i’ll be standing when you’ve
gone to ruins
ready
to build you up
again… 

by Kerry Cox

(Source: kerrycoxpoetry)