Enjoy the 2 Top Reader Picks + 1 Honorable Mention.
The challenge was to write a poem, or a short story of 100 words, about the U.S.A.
Based on what our reader likes, meet the two poems written by Margaret D. Stetz and Ime Eshiet. To handle the tiebreakers, I sorted them in Chronological order, and the first post with the same number of likes won. Enjoy these two fun writes.
Independence by Margaret D. Stetz
The history I learned began in bursts of gunfire a blunderbuss then musket that obliterated tomahawks the volleys sending British cannons fleeing ships flaming at Fort Sumter pistols, rifles sailing Over There a cloud of vapor at Hiroshima napalm burning villages our peace and freedom measured in artillery, explosions. My childhood toys were cap guns and every Fourth the cherry bombs that pitted gardens, sidewalks whistling rockets in the night sky gave me cover as I crept into my parents’ bedroom sliding the drawer where lay a dark revolver that I raised in tiny shaking hands— my Independence Day?
America of Our Dream by Ime Eshiet
Is this the America of our dream? George Wash'n cannot believe his eyes When the father's took the vote And the queenly crown struggled to assuage his diarrhea. What we see now is not our plan Not again shall we be shackled by another man. See John Adams and the two James, Madison and Munroe recoil Even Benjamin Franklin is shaking his whiskers in fear That America is fast declining and doomed. Fourth or Second of July doesn't matter We shall build the America of our dreams Where fearless love and liberty presides. Strength! Courage! Godly fear! Shall be restored Yet no man shall make America afraid.
Honorable Mention
A “surprise mind” style poem by Moe Phillips
Ticker tape jammed With cracker crumbs Headlines roar Red, white, and blue Peach flavored crayons Scribble answers For anyone left who can read Uncle Sam is on the lam On a midnight run to Palookaville Lady Liberty, a carnival barker Selling half-price tickets on the midway The check is NOT in the mail School bells replaced by smoking guns Pickup trucks circle like wagons, On tornado blasted meadows Drag queens painted with vampire blood Parade across freedom’s stage The mob rushes in to tear down The false gods who’ve arrived Under foreign flags. Home of the brave has moved.
