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Open Poetry #15
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Dear Mr. BIn Laden
| Open Poetry #15 |
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Dear Mr. BIn Laden |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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Dear Mr. Bin Laden I am an American, solid to the core A mother and a husband came here from another shore Both of them have sworn their true allegiance to this land Because of them, I also am a true American This country is a new one, forged by those who crossed a sea Mistakes were made by many in the yearning to be free They stole the land from natives who possessed inherent claims They stole the lives of Africans and tied them up in chains They pitched tea in a harbor in a protest of abuse The good of English governing they put to worthy use They out maneuvered British troops on horseback through a gorge They sat in frigid hunger on the ground at Valley Forge They moved the borders of our Latin neighbors to the south They sang the Cajun rhythms at the Mississippi’s mouth They made a little China town inside each city’s bounds They plowed up fields of Kansas and gold nuggets from the ground They burned the cross of hatred and they fought a bloody war They charged up Little Rountop and killed rebels by the score They stood behind the Bible, but they separated blacks To cultures of a different kind, they firmly turned their backs But what was chiseled from the wrongs and rights along the way Is a country where we have the right to think and right to pray For all the bitter wrong that passed, still pulsing in the vein Regard for individual is that which has remained Diverse as we may be in our opinions and our ways It was one heart you tore apart in Tuesday morning’s haze A single family you attacked, one spirit that was slain One citizen you cut down, an American, by name We all are still in mourning at the grave, horrific deed That ripped the heartstrings of the world and made a country bleed We, as one, are weeping out of horror and of rage, Which will some day be reconciled upon reprisal’s page You understood the agony that surely would ensue But underestimate the strength of our Red, White and Blue A piece of cloth, you say, a simple token on a pole? This flag will drape the theater of your final curtain call It flies in every city block, on every farmhouse lawn It waves in glory in the subtle sunlit beams of dawn It’s held by hands of Oriental, black, Latino, white It’s power is a force that now will surely come to light We are not shaken by a tongue that speaks in words of threat For terrorism in the end will have to pay its debt For now, we look at photographs of every victim’s face As sisters and as brothers they remain in our embrace From an American in mourning, Elizabeth Santos |
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| © Copyright 2001 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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NightShadow Member
since 2001-09-04
Posts 127New Jersey |
oh my goodness... that was a really great poem! very nice way to put your feelings into words.. let God be with us during this tragedy, and one day this will all be taken care of.. A Life without Love, is no life at all... |
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RSEvans Senior Member
since 1999-10-23
Posts 1147Tulsa, OK, USA |
WOW...spirited and bold and so true. Thank you for sharing with us, ES...noone here doubts your patriotism, nor your intent. |
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DreamRomancer Junior Member
since 2001-09-18
Posts 46Ohio, United States |
With that poem, you have documented several things that have formed the country into what it is today. It shows that we've struggled to make it. Very nice write indeed! With words filled with patriotism, your heart bleeds red, white, and blue! With my pen I shall create, |
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BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919New York, USA |
Oh, dear poet lady you have certainly tugged at every American heartstring with these words...Such a tragic event that prompted this piece, such an eloquent way to write what's in our hearts. Thank you. Bonnie |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
Oh Liz, well expressed, this brought a tear to my eye. I'm proud of your strength! ~hugs~ Melissa~ "Poetry is not an opinion expressed... |
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The Rusty Knight Member
since 2001-08-29
Posts 414Texas |
Liz, You have painted a clearer picture of who we are and how we got to be there in just a few words. I think the events have made us all look at who WE are. Thanks Dan Death comes not when we cease to breathe, but when we cease to dream. |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Splendid...James |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Elizabeth, your poem puts into words just why I am so proud to be an American. God Bless us all! God bless America, my home sweet home. |
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Zinsser Senior Member
since 2001-02-27
Posts 1641Calif. |
This is wonderful... lump in the throat.. ~Connie~ |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Liz: This is so stirring and wonderful! You have voiced much of our history and our resolve for the future. Outstanding job! Betty Lou Hebert |
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rwood Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793Tennessee |
Yes! We are scarred, we are tainted from past mistakes, we are still growing in our learning and acceptance. But we are still here voicing our call! One nation undivided with liberty and justice for all! Till the last one standing he will hear it ring. Wonderful Elizabeth! Sincerely, Regina |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
LizzieLove~ *Big Hugs* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Kitty** Member
since 1999-07-27
Posts 428Charlottesville,VA USA |
There is one thing....I would change the Dear Bin Laden to : dear bin laden He deserves even less... Powerful feelings here and a great write !! ((hugs)) Kitty |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I truly hope this letter is on the front page of Passions with Ron's for this is the greatest writing I have ever read of one proud American, I a truly humbled by your writing, it was magnificant. ~* If you want a rainbow, sometimes you just have to put up with a little rain *~ |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
Outstanding! Yes it was an arduous road to get to where we are but we just about have it perfected and it's the best man has ever come up with. Enjoyed. |
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rosepetals25
since 2000-05-31
Posts 3076PA |
Elizabeth, I'm amazed by your talent. You write so wonderfully. This poem was magnificent. It made me hold my head up even more with pride at being an American. We are not a perfect nation.. but we are a family that strong in our beliefs and love. Thank you for sharing. TaraB |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Thank you so very much, fellow patriots. This poem has been posted in a Congressional office in Washington. When you think how far we've come in such a short period, It makes me proud, despite all the mistakes we've made. Thank you so much for your wonderful comments Liz |
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Songbird Member Elite
since 1999-12-15
Posts 2184Missouri |
Truly our nation has come a long way as your poem expressed so well.. and with this attack our unity as a nation has become stronger. Wonderful poem. |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
Right on! This is so good. And yes, Bin Laden will pay. The sooner, the better. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
You are my Citizen of the Month maybe of the Year The words you have written will stay in my heart forever, as an expression of Unity |
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Eloise Senior Member
since 1999-11-27
Posts 1096Wyoming |
I've not seen it stated any better. Excellent Liz |
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Lady In White
since 2001-02-12
Posts 2799USA |
Thank God for Americans like You! |
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