The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide

Lady Liberty Still Stands Proud In New York Harbor

When did the arms of Lady Liberty turn inwards
Her torch extinguished; her poem long forgotten?
You have heard me say it often since begotten
That which makes America greatest is her diversity.

As a child, I learned some basics, some fundamentals—
Like from shore to shore, America is a vast melting pot,
A dynamic, living breathing linguistic polyglot
English, our native tongue, was not the first one here

When the founders set foot upon the Eastern shore
Cherokee, Shawnee, Iroquois tongues to them were new
Even today strange languages are spoken among a few
Mandarin, German, French and Spanish were planted here

Chinese and African labor, I know, were sadly exploited
German scientific knowledge was much appropriated
While French, Spanish, and Russian plots were integrated
Now, the contributions of all are gleefully rewarded.

The truth is that we all came from "foreign" countries
We diligently search for our long-hidden genealogy,
We must continue to welcome and help the refugee
Who want so much to call America their home.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Ranaweera  Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 8:13 PM
Eloquent poetic lines that flow smoothly, LMilton!!
Hankins Avatar
November 18, 2020 at 10:16 PM
Newton, thanks so much for reading and commenting on my poem. I really appreciated what you had to say.
Roper Avatar
November 14, 2020 at 10:08 PM
Well said, Lmilton, we all come from the same rib, the same seed. We all bleed red with two legs, two arms, and so on. Enjoyed reading.
Hankins Avatar
January 9, 2021 at 9:09 PM
Eve, when you have time, check out my poem "Eve"
Hankins Avatar
November 16, 2020 at 6:54 PM
Thanks so much for reading my poem and leaving this comment. It is very meaningful to me.
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The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace