PATRIOTISM ANDREA GUERRA

I STAND ON HISTORY'S CORNER


I once was called a State House, now I'm Independence Hall

I stand on history's corner on a Philadelphia mall

I face the green where freedom rings in silence to the ear

But the bell tolls daily in the minds of those who want to hear



In the chambers of my meeting place, two hundred years ago

Words of strong debate from out my chambers overflowed

A government was founded and a portrait finely etched

And the face of freedom's guarantee on parchment had been sketched



I listened to the arguments, I heard the strong debate

I shed a tear of joy when they discussed the people's fate

They granted all a freedom that nobody could refute

The right to speak what he believed was granted absolute



It is a freedom that's denied to millions on this earth

Yet many here still don't appreciate its' golden worth

For every freedom guaranteed, there rests a certain trust

In the right of conscience, right of thought, to say the things we must



Every day the tourists come, to visit chamber halls

To hear the words of independence echo off the walls

They glance out rippled windows at the beauty of the green

Some understand the magnitude of all that they have seen



There is an unmarked boundary by which speech is well embraced

That does not smile upon the words that scar and that deface

That offend another's tenants, that degrade and that abuse

From one without a conscience, where his freedom is misused



But yet between the lines of freedom, tolerance is clear

Sometimes we listen to the things we never want to hear

Then anger and mistrust arise within the murky mist

Of one who utters or displays what principles resist



But yet he has the right to what his conscience will attest

To those I say, just turn your back and silently protest

Rejection is the deepest pain that one will ever feel

And silence speaks the loudest as it echoes what is real



There is another boundary that blows in freedom's air

That does not allow the right to speech that cause s one's despair

Inciting danger or upheaval, with a word or sign

Intended to create despair and others to malign



The law will call to justice, the one who oversteps

The line of freedom's limits with the weight of ignorance

Those who've passed the boundaries, marked on wooden floor

Where freedom was first granted, never walked into my door



For if he had, he would be overcome with the debate

As ghosts of freedom argue in the favor of his fate

He'd hear his name be mentioned as deserving to the wise

For "every individual" was equal in their eyes



He'd understand the privilege of living in a land

Where censorship's forbidden to the eyes of every man

Where every pen is free to write the thoughts within his soul

And every soul is free in seeking knowledge as his goal



I stand on history's corner, a building with a name

Where people look at freedom's bell through rippled window pane

And realize their eyes are gazing through the very glass

Of eyes that once looked out as well in shadows of the past



Come here to see where freedom's voice was duly given birth

Come here to understand the measure of your voice's worth



-- Submitted by Elizabeth Santos from Pottstown, PA

e-mail: mesantos1@comcast.net

Got Your Back


by Autumn Parker



I am a small and precious child,

my Daddys been sent to fight

The only place I will see his face,

is in my dreams at night



He will be gone too many days,

for my young mind to keep track.

I may be sad, but I am proud,

my Daddy's got your back



I am a caring mother,

my son has gone to war

My mind is filled with worries

that I have never known before



Every day I try to keep

my thoughts from turning black

I may be sad, but I am proud,

my son has got your back.



I am a strong and loving wife,

with a husband soon to go

There are times I am terrified,

in ways most never know



I bite my lip and force a smile,

as I watch my husband pack

My heart may break but I am proud,

my husband's got your back.



I am a soldier;

serving proudly, standing tall.

I fight for freedom, yours and mine,

by answering this call.



I do my job while knowing,

the thanks it sometimes lacks.

Say a prayer that I come home,

its me that's got your back



A M E R I C A


A

is for the Attitudes

that conquer any quest

M

is for the Multitudes

who know just why they're blessed

E

pluribus unum

from sea to shining sea

R

for all the Riches found

where everyone is free

I

for Individuals

who sacrifice their all

C

because our Christian faith

will answer every call, so one more

A

for Attitudes

That live inside of us

God has blessed America

Cause God is who we trust



G O D B L E S S A M E R I C A !