06-02-2016, 06:27 AM
I remember a time when I was but a boy;
I watched, enraptured, my country's flag waving almost in joy.
There was no hate then, not to my eyes;
No color, no sex or fervent battle cries.
There were problems, even then my young mind knew;
But to me, the people would see each other through.
Two short decades later, my world has turned to strife;
Brother against brother, each wielding his own knife.
In times where patriotism is met with a cold sneer;
Our flag they burn while others cheer.
Issues of great controversy waved about;
Our country's greatness cast in doubt.
The fights that would build us up and make us strong;
Poison us against each other, all we see is wrong.
No more standing United against those who seek to do harm;
We've fallen prey to the instigators' charm.
I once sought to do my part, to fix what I could;
Like many before me, I enlisted to do some good.
To serve and protect, defend my brother, your sister, and our mothers;
To keep the country I believed in safe from all others.
My brothers and sisters fought and died, gave their all for their dreams of a better tomorrow;
They took the hit meant for others on themselves, no time for thoughts of sorrow.
When I was young, I took life for granted, unaware it was a gift;
Naive to the burden I would one day lift.
My pack was taken by better people, just as unprepared as me;
They were young with the same designs to see our country free.
Free from hate, oppression and self war;
It seems that some back at home forgot what we all are fighting for.
The strength of this country isn't the leaders, the law or even its land;
The backbone of our country is its people - standing hand in hand.
No race, no creed, no religion or definitive sex - no distraction;
All of us together to give change traction.
When I was young, I believed in this country and what we stood for,
Now that I'm older, I believe in the people standing at an open door.
The door to a brighter tomorrow, where we as a people can be as one;
All of us together being ourselves, the conflict done.
When I was a boy, I dared to believe, as most children do;
Now as an adult, I would be happy to walk with you.
Toward this new land and a new state of life for all;
Where a truly United people stand tall.
I watched, enraptured, my country's flag waving almost in joy.
There was no hate then, not to my eyes;
No color, no sex or fervent battle cries.
There were problems, even then my young mind knew;
But to me, the people would see each other through.
Two short decades later, my world has turned to strife;
Brother against brother, each wielding his own knife.
In times where patriotism is met with a cold sneer;
Our flag they burn while others cheer.
Issues of great controversy waved about;
Our country's greatness cast in doubt.
The fights that would build us up and make us strong;
Poison us against each other, all we see is wrong.
No more standing United against those who seek to do harm;
We've fallen prey to the instigators' charm.
I once sought to do my part, to fix what I could;
Like many before me, I enlisted to do some good.
To serve and protect, defend my brother, your sister, and our mothers;
To keep the country I believed in safe from all others.
My brothers and sisters fought and died, gave their all for their dreams of a better tomorrow;
They took the hit meant for others on themselves, no time for thoughts of sorrow.
When I was young, I took life for granted, unaware it was a gift;
Naive to the burden I would one day lift.
My pack was taken by better people, just as unprepared as me;
They were young with the same designs to see our country free.
Free from hate, oppression and self war;
It seems that some back at home forgot what we all are fighting for.
The strength of this country isn't the leaders, the law or even its land;
The backbone of our country is its people - standing hand in hand.
No race, no creed, no religion or definitive sex - no distraction;
All of us together to give change traction.
When I was young, I believed in this country and what we stood for,
Now that I'm older, I believe in the people standing at an open door.
The door to a brighter tomorrow, where we as a people can be as one;
All of us together being ourselves, the conflict done.
When I was a boy, I dared to believe, as most children do;
Now as an adult, I would be happy to walk with you.
Toward this new land and a new state of life for all;
Where a truly United people stand tall.