Danny Derden Poet Rhyme

What Became Of The Land I Once Defended

A sharpie--clutched in an iron fist.
Backed by barbed wire justice.
And noose-tight legislation.
Masked police… across the nation.

Surveillance towers.
And military powers.
Voices stifled.
Bayoneted rifles.

Distrust.
Fear.
Both--far and near.

A Republic—shattered.
Her people--battered.
Liberty--locked and chained.
A Constitution--so profaned.

Justice…locked neath bureaucratic bars.
Political corruption--leaving scars.

Across the land I once defended--
My heart is broken.
And unmended.

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sara Etgen-Baker September 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM outstanding rhyme and imagery. Compelling and powerful statements. I, too, am sad of late. Like you, my heart is broken...almost too much evil to bear. Danny Derden September 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM I tend to be fairly conservative in my politics...and what is happening tears me up because it isn't Constitutionally conservative, it isn't Morally conservative, it isn't even Fiscally conservative...so branding this plutocratic autocracy as conservative really ticks me off and I honestly don't know how any Constitutional conservative can back this lunacy.

Joseph P. DiMino September 16, 2025 at 9:50 AM Thank you for your service, Danny. We have got to start monitoring more closely what our children are being taught in school. Today's students are tomorrows voters. Tomorrow is just around the corner. Danny Derden September 16, 2025 at 10:49 AM Yes. After retiring from the military I became a teacher and I did my best to instill the knowledge & skills required by the curriculum but also to encourage my students to develop strong critical thinking skills, question everything, investigate everything, seek knowledge & truth in all things, and live with honor & integrity.

Andrea Dietrich September 16, 2025 at 9:22 AM Thanks , btw, for your service. It was where and when? Danny Derden September 16, 2025 at 10:46 AM 25 years and change. I deployed in support of Operation Deny Flight (Balkans) when the Serbs & Bosnians were at it. Did my Desert Storm service from a HQ position...even though I repeatedly volunteered to go to the front lines but I was deemed "mission essential" and that was one of the hardest things I ever did...watch others go in what I considered my place.

Andrea Dietrich September 16, 2025 at 9:21 AM There is so much wrong on in so many governments across this earth. Also, it starts with family and morals seem to have flown out the window. I feel your great disappointment . Danny Derden September 16, 2025 at 10:41 AM As a Constitutionalist I find a lot wrong with each Administration, but the Trump Administration has broken all records for ignoring & going over/under/around the Constitution. That is a serious problem for those honest enough to recognize it.

Sara Kendrick September 16, 2025 at 8:54 AM We want illegals and especially illegal criminals to no longer be here, we want to stop the sale of illegal drugs, we want to cut spending, and what else do we want. How can that be achieved? Someone is going to have to crack down on things that are wrong to get them back right. Do you have a plan that will work to do all those things? Sara K..I know I don't have one. I would not want the job. I agree things are nowhere in anyway like they were when I was growing up, things have changed. Sara Kendrick September 16, 2025 at 2:01 PM I understand what you are saying, Danny. I don't know if Trump is making these decisions on his own or if he is following others command. The future is shaky, and I hope that we end up with a stable land in which to live. Sara K Danny Derden September 16, 2025 at 10:43 AM All decent people want the same things...and most people are just that. Making it US against THEM is wrong. I'm all for a strong border & enforcing our laws but that means FOLLOWING THE CONSTITUTION EVERY TIME AND ALL THE TIME...no shortcuts...therein lies anarchy. If Trump can do it, the next ultra radical liberal who gets in office WILL DO IT.