Home » Poems » Dan Helppi » One In Five Million

One In Five Million

You were born here,
and so you own it.
You've done so much,
to make it yours.

You've built rocky mountains,
You've dug grand canyons,
forged great lakes from ice,
tamed the savage.

And look at your great lady 
of the harbor...
wow, I see why
you are so proud.

Oh yes, great man; I see
your Godliness now.

So sorry to have bothered you
highness, worm that I am,
so sorry I called,
goodbye and gracias,

Gracias all.

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Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 12/2/2014 6:43:00 AM

love how you keep the intrigue in your poem.. :) witty Dan!

Dan Helppi
Date: 12/2/2014 8:29:00 PM

Thanks Olive.

Timothy Hicks

Date: 11/25/2014 10:12:00 PM

Yes, it was very unjust for what our ancestors did to the locals - though WE ourselves can't be blamed for what our fathers did - it is what is, unfortunately. The only problem with illegal immigration is the amount of benefits and entitlements that illegals receive - legals citizens, included, of course! Were it not for unlawful taxation and unconstitutional benefits, the immigration wouldn't be a problem at all, as far as I can see.

Timothy Hicks

Date: 11/25/2014 4:38:00 PM

Loved the snarkey sarcasm in this. And you've touched on a most interesting topic. Have you ever read any of the works of John Locke? I've always enjoyed his definition of "property" by those who work on the land and produce; infusing your labor into the fruits of your reward. He worded, better than I, of course. I'm curious to hear your reason behind the title, though?

Dan Helppi
Date: 11/25/2014 10:03:00 PM

Tim, glad you liked the snarky, and yes I have read some of Locke and actually hid his name in a poem I posted here called "Baby", I contrasted his "blank slate" theory to August Weismann's "pre-ordained" destiny theory. As for the title of the poem: I wrote the poem shortly after Obama used executive privilege to give some standing to some five million "illegal" immigrants. (How many "Americans" can claim her as the native land of their ancestors?) A mighty fine high horse we seem to have, I too wonder what we got in the stable!