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Our Uncle Sam

Here lies the remains of our Uncle Sam
Died from those who didn't give a damn,
A malady known as a lack of concern
His citizens were too apathetic to learn,
He came to a slow and agonizing end
When divisive factions refused to bend
In his two hundred forty-fifth year today
As patriotic times of unity slipped away. 

Written June 8, 2022

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2022

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Kenneth Cheney Date: 6/10/2022 9:14:00 AM Milt, I think if Uncle Sam dies in 2022 it will be at the of a poison pen. Dishonesty runs rampant in our media. Blocking opposition points of view is how we will die. Plus GW has a great point we have never been all that united. Login to Reply Kenneth Cheney Date: 6/10/2022 10:48:00 AM Milt I do not believe we are as divided. Outside of television I never see great division. I think you and I see the political world from entirely different perspectives, but if we were to meet I would proudly shake your hand, brake some bread, and have little doubt we would get on famously. L Milton Hankins Date: 6/10/2022 9:44:00 AM I really don't know, Kenneth, but I feel we are fast reaching a point of no return in our country, and I am deeply saddened by the state of affairs. I have wondered if we are as deeply divided as the media is leading us to believe.

Gershon Wolf Date: 6/9/2022 5:22:00 PM Ah, Unity! E.g: 'Actors are all Commies,' in the 1950's. 'America: Love it or Leave it!' in the 1960's. Watergate in the 70's. Sandista Scandals in the 80's. Greed (and Monica) in the 90's... Since 2018: Defund the Police! White Privilege! BLM! Hands off my Body! 'Chaz/Chop' (Seattle)! And Mass Shootings! OMG. Such a unified country we've had during my lifetime... Maybe for a few months against the Taliban, and a couple months against Sadam Hussein. That's about it, I think. Oh, well. Bye, Sam! :) Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 6/9/2022 7:05:00 PM Thanks for your comment, gw. Unity seems like an impossible dream, doesn't it? But still, dreamers like me think it could be restored and will do everything we can to make it so.

Rico Leffanta Date: 6/9/2022 11:11:00 AM Trump grabbed Uncle Sam by the beard to silence him and no one else was brave enough to sound the alarm, "Sedition!" Aloha! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 6/9/2022 11:40:00 AM I'm afraid that is true, Rico. But I didn't want to make this about him!

Caren Krutsinger Date: 6/9/2022 1:12:00 AM Unity - we need to get it back! I agree. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 6/9/2022 8:56:00 AM The sooner, the better. We are teetering on the brink, I think.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/8/2022 4:38:00 PM It's a very well written epitaph. Is there a contest on this theme or something? I really like this. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 6/8/2022 5:22:00 PM Not that I know of, Andrea. I was just musing. Several contests right now that I find requiring more time writing for than I'm willing to give.

Tom Cunningham Date: 6/8/2022 2:00:00 PM I just hope people realise things are not the way they should be and wake up before it's too late. Good bless America. Tom Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 6/9/2022 12:34:00 AM I'd be honoured Milton. L Milton Hankins Date: 6/8/2022 2:55:00 PM Me too, Tom. In truth, I agree with Jeff below, but I wanted to write a poem which was suggest how bad things could turn out if we continue this attitude of "we" against "them." when we are all Americans. Thanks for your understanding and your comment, Tom. Mind if we make you an honorary citizen? We could use some folks like you!

Jeff Kyser Date: 6/8/2022 12:49:00 PM Don't count him out; He's good and strong. But who knows? I could be wrong :-) Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 6/8/2022 12:57:00 PM Notice the juxtaposition of the two poems, Jeff. I am hopeful; I really am hopeful, but, if I must write an epitaph for Uncle Sam, this would be it.