This poem is a cento of sorts, inspired by the Langston Hughes poem, “Let America Be America Again”
Those donning red hats champion the cause to “make America ‘great’ again.”
In this catchphrase, it’s impossible to overlook the irony.
Wherever we’ve descended to, only further harm will come in going backward.
We mustn’t let America be America again.
A place where the rich prospered at the expense of the poor; the plight of all others was easy to dismiss or ignore.
Where heterosexual white men easily excelled, then became celebrated heroes for all to applaud and adore.
Where we portend that anyone can lift themselves up, yet so few in the pecking order possess bootstraps at all.
Where fear has long reigned supreme, so we continue to outspend every other military in the world to feel less small.
Where the wealthy and influential oversee immense supplies of nuclear power as they cower in their towers, terrified of any potential for them to ever fall.
No, there is no greatness to return to.
There were once revolutionary concepts.
Some bright ideas and theoretical constructs.
But if we’re really being honest, Liberty here has always been tenuous – crowned by a false patriot wreath shrouded in bullshit pretense.
We throw around democratic rhetoric despite how few of our citizens have been afforded the chance to be free.
Rather than romanticizing an imaginary past, how much more aspirational can we be?
It’s easy to attack and blame others while yearning for the words of false prophets to be true.
Yet I beseech you, Americans – let’s be braver than that.
It’s time to take ownership of the vital work we need to do.
We must come together and make America the dream the dreamers dreamed.
A place where…
…opportunity is real.
…life is free.
…equality is in the air we breathe.
It’s not too late for we, the people, to…
…finally rise up and be redeemed.
…rectify the harms of the past.
…make amends and build anew.
America has not yet been America to far too many.
But even in this dark time, I am manifesting a radical possibility:
Truly united states of America can still become reality.
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