This Land of Paradox
A poem
A poem
Lady Liberty lifts her torch
arm outstretched, unwavering
except when she glances down
and weeps at broken chains
Farms and suburbs, urban jungles
intertwined highways stretching
sea to sea, like arteries
pumping the nation’s lifeblood
Stars and stripes wave
in manicured lawns
outside wrought iron gates
keeping something in or out
Dreamers still risk everything
to reach these golden shores
while others turn away,
no vacancy here
Opulent feasts and decadence
soup kitchen lines winding long
plenty to feed all but choices made
mean some go hungry
Great wealth built on ideals
liberty, opportunity, justice for all
yet systemic flaws and greed
undermine the dream
So many identities
colliding, coexisting
e pluribus unum
striving to become one