Public Poetry #1

The music of words awakens

Compels and Drives

Human Kind.

   “GIVE ME LIBERTY, 

   OR GIVE ME DEATH”

   Is a mighty little rhyme 

      That built a nation.

“OH SAY CAN YOU SEE

     BY THE DAWN’S 

       EARLY LIGHT,

   WHAT SO PROUDLY

         WE HAILED

  AT THE TWILIGHT’S  

   LAST GLEAMING . . .”

These words are the music

  Of “BROAD STRIPES

  AND BRIGHT STARS,”

  Words to awaken hearts

     Still beating to rise

          In the face

 Of insurmountable odds.

  A poem

  Is a mighty little thing.

   Three or four words, 

   Appearing as sparks,

   Might ignite a blaze.

Humans follow the fire,

   Dance to the music,

    And sing for love,

    Cry for freedom, 

    Entreat endurance,

    Pray for salvation, 

    And other things.

    We make the world

  By the humble sounds

           We utter.

          The poem 

     we write together

      Is our survival.

    We’re only human

After all.