I, Too, Am An American

I, too, am an American I am the child whose broken family once relied upon government hand-outs to eat I am the teenager who lost my way and slept in a car in a park until strangers in a position to help, did; alternative school, my diploma, a chance I am the soldier who served my country honorably and battled sexual harassment; a combat veteran would not be challenged for his abuse of a woman who really had no business serving with men anyway I am the survivor who fought my way through grotesque, waving signs and hateful condemnation in order to face a desperate choice on the other side I am the wife and mother who never regretted a career placed on hold to care for my family. I began to look at this world in a whole new way through the eyes of my children I am the citizen who marched in the streets with thousands of kindred spirits conveying a message to power: we are united against the harming of people and our planet, and we will resist every attempt to undermine liberty I, too, am an American