[This poem is a "retourne," which is essentially a quatern with more than 8-syllables per line. Retourne means "return," so-named because the first line of the poem is repeated in each stanza in a different location.]
What happened to the America I once knew? Where children could play kickball in the street And next-door neighbors were tried and true Dining rooms were places where families eat. Parents took responsibility for their kids What happened to the America I once knew? People helped those who went on the skids No one would have thought of staging a coup. Our basic systems are failing, what do we do? Obstruction of progress is a politician’s basic tool What happened to the America I once knew Teachers were in charge of their classes in school. All of the media seem to have a marked agenda Polarization in thinking has the country in a stew Watch what you say, someone will be offended What happened to the America I once knew? written July 21, 2021
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