We the People

We the People
Will disagree
On taxation and prosperity
On liberty and duty

We the People
Are every color of Christianity
Every Jewish prayer, every song of Islam
The puritans, the atheists and the Amish
Are neighbors here

We the People
Are Jamaican and Japanese
Swedish and Samoan
Cuban and Cherokee
Moroccan and Mexican
The Irish and the Inuit
And all shades of Africa

We are country hills and cityscapes
Suburban parks and downtown fire escapes
We are singers and stutterers
Daredevils and diplomats
Renegades and redeemers
The leaders and the lone wolves
The suits and the sarongs

We are the gun owners for gun control
The justice for unjust loopholes
We are the hands that struck the iron
And the backs that laid the tracks
Of trails of rails connecting
Sea to shining Sea

We are protesters and poets
The soldiers without peace
The nurses without sleep
We are the straight arrows and the skeptics
The gay and the god-fearing
We are Black Lives Matter
And we are the badges in blue

We the People
Are complicit and complicated
No freedom gave
To chains of slaves
We have conquered and colonized
Sacrificed and stolen
Pillaged and planted
To naturalize a nation

We are teachers of tenacity
Prophicies of pioneers
And the children of second chances

We the People 
Speak for our land’s legacy
In every tongue, from every rung
On each stumbled stair, each crumbled chair
We demand democracy.

8/21/20

Poem of the Day
August 23, 2020
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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12
Peck Avatar
February 9, 2022 at 3:23 PM
I just read this one again, Michelle. It is so strong and majestic--proud and humble, inclusive and spelling of wrongs in a word, exceptional! It truly needs to be seen beyond P.S.
Peck Avatar
June 16, 2021 at 1:33 PM
Bravo, Michelle!! Every 6th grader should read this! You covered everything; you said it all!I wasn't part of Poetry Soup when you won, but belated congratulations!
Johnson Avatar
March 30, 2021 at 7:21 AM
Michelle, this right here!!! I love it. It's so true, so today and what we the people need to be reminded of. Congratulations.
Kauffman Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 4:21 PM
Congratulations Michelle on your POTD. A round of applause and high fives! Let us create bridges rather than chasms.
Allison Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 3:22 PM
we the soupers congratulate you with the honour of POTD:-) hugs Jan xx
Sands Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 3:14 PM
Congratulations for POTD :)
La France Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 1:43 PM
Michele, wonderfully penned and congratulations on your POTD, enjoy the honor _Constance
Nicole Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 1:19 PM
"We the People" Yet, we are divided in half. Sad indeed. As I am looking around, all I can see is division, instead of unity. Congratulations Michelle, on Poem of the Day. ~ Brandy
Turner Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 1:10 PM
A very bi-partisan statement. hard to be political without some kind of spin. Well done, Michelle. A most worthy POTD.
Ward Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 11:36 AM
PERFECT-AMEN
Sharp Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 10:28 AM
Smashing good write ! Fave ! This poem strikes me as a true labour of love. A very worthy POTD indeed. PS.: Yes, he CAN read, as long as its nice things about him.
Wanter Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 8:11 AM
Fantastic!!!! Congratulations!!!!
Koplin Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 8:04 AM
Very well written! Congratulations on potd!
Wolf Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 7:35 AM
I just knew it! Once again, bravo to you for a nuanced write on the most difficult topic to nuance these days! ~ Democracy, without Dull Dogma or Deliberate Dumbing Down, Gershon
Watt Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 12:54 PM
Great comment, GW!
Proxenos Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 7:08 AM
Wow, I was going to say definately POTD and then I saw Arturo's congratulations and was so happy you got chosen for this honor, this is an awesome, brilliant poem, well penned Michelle. Hugs and blessings Jenn.
Michael Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 6:02 AM
Wonderful...We the People...Congratulations Michelle on POTD...All the best
Toney Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 5:38 AM
Michelle, you captured the length, the depth and the breadth. Congratulations on Poem of the Day!
Pigeon Tart Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 5:36 AM
Bravo Michelle, a powerfully and eloquently executed poem of love for your nation, one it needed to hear. Lovely done, congratulations for POTD honours. Every one should read this, xomo!
Pandit Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 5:09 AM
Back with BIG congrats on poem of the day, Michelle.
Andresen Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 5:04 AM
- A wonderful speech for humanity ... congratulations on yours p.o.t.d., Michelle :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Mcintosh Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 5:00 AM
WOW. This is a true inspiration that colors the world a rainbow of delightful prose. I love it. God Bless you friend
Logan Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 3:26 AM
What an excellent speech this would make, Michelle. Congratulations on it being POTD!
Horsman Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 2:24 AM
Does democracy get in the way of profit?? The poem the message is so clear Michelle. In fact the poem is inspiring, hope many will get to read this, (should be published) Love it, to my fav..
Romios Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 1:16 AM
You are a delightful poet. Pangie xxx
Cunningham Avatar
August 23, 2020 at 12:56 AM
Well written Michelle, why cant politicians think like you A well deserved POTD honour. Tom
12
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