I
Where the wings of a sunny Dome expand
I saw a Banner in gladsome air-
Starry, like Berenice's Hair-
Afloat in broadened bravery there;
With undulating long-drawn flow,
As rolled Brazilian billows go
Voluminously o'er the Line.
The Land reposed in peace below;
The children in their glee
Were folded to the exulting heart
Of young Maternity.
II
Later, and it streamed in fight
When tempest mingled with the fray,
And over the spear-point of the shaft
I saw the ambiguous lightning play.
Valor with Valor strove, and died:
Fierce was Despair, and cruel was Pride;
And the lorn Mother speechless stood,
Pale at the fury of her brood.
III
Yet later, and the silk did wind
Her fair cold for;
Little availed the shining shroud,
Though ruddy in hue, to cheer or warm
A watcher looked upon her low, and said-
She sleeps, but sleeps, she is not dead.
But in that sleep contortion showed
The terror of the vision there-
A silent vision unavowed,
Revealing earth's foundation bare,
And Gorgon in her hidden place.
It was a thing of fear to see
So foul a dream upon so fair a face,
And the dreamer lying in that starry shroud.
IV
But from the trance she sudden broke-
The trance, or death into promoted life;
At her feet a shivered yoke,
And in her aspect turned to heaven
No trace of passion or of strife-
A clear calm look. It spake of pain,
But such as purifies from stain-
Sharp pangs that never come again-
And triumph repressed by knowledge meet,
Power delicate, and hope grown wise,
And youth matured for age's seat-
Law on her brow and empire in her eyes.
So she, with graver air and lifted flag;
While the shadow, chased by light,
Fled along the far-brawn height,
And left her on the crag.
The pledges and anthems I grew up with included in my mind fair play, social equity, justice for all, and a mindset of serving humanity as guiding first principles.
We pledged to America to grow into and become these first principles not because we had already obtained these results but because we were maturing towards those immeasurable ideals.
That what Americans embraced positionally they would become practically by their ensuing, assuaging actions.
America to me was never about nationalism nor a confused or conscripted patriotism. Of unhallowed racism and derelict duty to humanity and nature.
America was about living up to its ideals through each of us reaching out to the other personally and together in kindred spirits of helps and aide.
My amazement came when finding such pledgers and banner-keepers paying lip-service to America's first principles.
Whose chosen silence and inactions darkened America's duty of doing what was right. Of speaking out for the good and beautiful.
This kind of America I cannot pledge to. Pledging commits one to action, not inaction. Of vouchsafing the rights, liberties, and properties of the unloved other.
Not to keeping the status quo but by uplifting it that it becomes all-inclusive. A solidarity of human spirit to human spirit bespeaking peace and unity.
And when we do not, to call out our fellow Americans to live up to its Bill of Rights and our living Constitution as dissenting peoples advocating for whom we must become. Nor for whom we must not become.
America is a nation united in all these things moral and right.
America's banners are lifted high because its people strive for love and unity at all times and in all weathers, fair or evil.
This is the America I believe in and wish to make happen with those of similar spirits. The America of the people, for the people, and by the people.
R.E. SlaterOctober 26, 2020
Let America Be America Again
Let America be America again
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.
(America never was America to me.)
Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed--
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.
(It never was America to me.)
O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.
(There's never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")
Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?
And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?
I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek--
And finding only the same old stupid plan
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.
I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
Tangled in that ancient endless chain
Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!
Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need!
Of work the men! Of take the pay!
Of owning everything for one's own greed!
I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil.
I am the worker sold to the machine.
I am the Negro, servant to you all.
I am the people, humble, hungry, mean--
Hungry yet today despite the dream.
Beaten yet today--O, Pioneers!
I am the man who never got ahead,
The poorest worker bartered through the years.
Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream
In the Old World while still a serf of kings,
Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true,
That even yet its mighty daring sings
In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned
That's made America the land it has become.
O, I'm the man who sailed those early seas
In search of what I meant to be my home--
For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's shore,
And Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea,
And torn from Black Africa's strand I came
To build a "homeland of the free."
The free?
Who said the free? Not me?
Surely not me? The millions on relief today?
The millions shot down when we strike?
The millions who have nothing for our pay?
For all the dreams we've dreamed
And all the songs we've sung
And all the hopes we've held
And all the flags we've hung,
The millions who have nothing for our pay--
Except the dream that's almost dead today.
O, let America be America again--
The land that never has been yet--
And yet must be--the land where every man is free.
The land that's mine--the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME--
Who made America,
Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain,
Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain,
Must bring back our mighty dream again.
Sure, call me any ugly name you choose--
The steel of freedom does not stain.
From those who live like leeches on the people's lives,
We must take back our land again,
America!
O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath--
America will be!
Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,
The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,
We, the people, must redeem
The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.
The mountains and the endless plain--
All, all the stretch of these great green states--
And make America again!
Those of mechanics--each one singing his, as it should be, blithe and strong;
The carpenter singing his, as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his, as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work;
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat--the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck;
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench--the hatter singing as he stands;
The wood-cutter's song--the ploughboy's, on his way in the morning, or at the noon intermission, or at sundown;
The delicious singing of the mother--or of the young wife at work--or of the girl sewing or washing--Each singing what belongs to her, and to none else;
The day what belongs to the day--At night, the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing, with open mouths, their strong melodious songs.
I Am The American Constitution
by Katherine Kay Graven
Do you know my name
There is not to be a substitution
I am not to be changed
I am the American Constitution
I do not waver in what I preach
For common men are my leaders
It is God’s wisdom that I speak
I am the American Constitution
For my people I am here to protect and serve
The ones who are weak among the government
But though me they can still can be heard
I am the American Constitution
I was blessed with a soul of my own
Was born from a bloody Revolution
Making my peoples demands known
I am the American Constitution
My life is ending my words are being ignored
There is a Fascist government revolution
Satan himself is knocking at my door
I am the American Constitution
And my name is being marred
In the grips of unlawful persecution
Because a government wants me disbarred
I am the American Constitution
My fathers spoke of being free
Children get to know my contributions
Your voice is the only thing protecting me.
If I am sent to my execution
Where will that lead my country’s soul
For I am the American Constitution
That keeps American’s Government under control.
~~ The US Constitution As a Poem ~~
https://www.overthinkingit.com/2015/09/17/the-u-s-constitution-is-a-poem/
Bill of Rights
April 13, 2018
Bill — a document sealed — as in a sign or small picture — to lend authority, credence — to make official what are — rights — ruled — what is proper fair and fitting — what was heretofore implied or inspired — to enumerate, ratify — to make real — to make the abstract concrete — poetry, poems
- Faith and speech
- guns or grievance
- no army in my house
- no taking of my land
- no searching no seizing
- grand speedy and jury
- nothing cruel or unusual and oh yes —
- I do love peaceably assembling.
- I do love petitioning the government for a redress of my grievances.
- I do love my soldier free home.
- And maybe I could love the security of a free state if all were truly free.
- As I would love my government to be fair and predictable.
- Because I believe, I do — I want to — to believe
- in a government of the people,
- and the unalienable rights of all the people
- never to be surrendered,
- always to be fought for,
- or retrieved.
History of the Most Important
Documents of the United States
BILL OF RIGHTS
The Bill of Rights- our First Ten Amendments
They ensure our Rights and Freedom
Limiting the Control of our Government
Giving us Powers when we most need them
The First Amendment gives our rights
To Religion, Speech, and Press
Congress has no Right to Interfere
With what we want to Express
The Second Amendment Gives us our Guns
Our right to Keep and Bear Arms
It gives us the Protection that we Need
To Stay Away from Harm
The Third Amendment Keeps out the Soldiers
Out of our Homes they go
We no Longer have to Quarter our Enemies
We have the Right to say, “No”
The Fourth Amendment Protects us from the Unreasonable
Searching and Seizing of our Property
No more Issuing of Warrants without Reason
Or Just for Mere Curiosity
The Fifth Amendment Gives us Due Process of Law,
Freedom from Double Jeopardy, and Self-Incrimination
No Being Held for Crime Without Evidence
And, in court, no Self-Condemnation
The Bill of Rights- our First Ten Amendments
The key to America’s prosperity
Many Thanks to James Madison
You have left an unforgettable legacy
United States Bill of Rights
Approval of the Bill of Rights in Congress and the States[68] | |||
---|---|---|---|
Seventeen Articles Approved by the House August 24, 1789 | Twelve Articles Approved by the Senate September 9, 1789 | Twelve Articles Approved by Congress September 25, 1789 | Ratification Status |
First Article: After the first enumeration, required by the first Article of the Constitution, there shall be one Representative for every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall be not less than one hundred Representatives, nor less than one Representative for every forty thousand persons, until the number of Representatives shall amount to two hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor less than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons. | First Article: After the first enumeration, required by the first article of the Constitution, there shall be one Representative for every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred; to which number one Representative shall be added for every subsequent increase of forty thousand, until the Representatives shall amount to two hundred, to which number one Representative shall be added for every subsequent increase of sixty thousand persons. | First Article: After the first enumeration required by the first article of the Constitution, there shall be one Representative for every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall be not less than one hundred Representatives, nor less than one Representative for every forty thousand persons, until the number of Representatives shall amount to two hundred; after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor more than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons. | Pending: Congressional Apportionment Amendment |
Second Article: No law varying the compensation to the members of Congress, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened. | Second Article: No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened. | Second Article: No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened. | Later ratified: May 5, 1992 Twenty-seventh Amendment |
Third Article: Congress shall make no law establishing religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, nor shall the rights of Conscience be infringed. | Third Article: Congress shall make no law establishing articles of faith, or a mode of worship, or prohibiting the free exercise of religion, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition to the government for a redress of grievances. | Third Article: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. | Ratified: December 15, 1791 First Amendment |
Fourth Article: The Freedom of Speech, and of the Press, and the right of the People peaceably to assemble, and consult for their common good, and to apply to the Government for a redress of grievances, shall not be infringed. | (see Third Article above) | ||
Fifth Article: A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the People, being the best security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed, but no one religiously scrupulous of bearing arms, shall be compelled to render military service in person. | Fourth Article: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. | Fourth Article: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. | Ratified: December 15, 1791 Second Amendment |
Sixth Article: No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. | Fifth Article: No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. | Fifth Article: No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. | Ratified: December 15, 1791 Third Amendment |
Seventh Article: The right of the People to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. | Sixth Article: The right of the People to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. | Sixth Article: The right of the People to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. | Ratified: December 15, 1791 Fourth Amendment |
Eighth Article: No person shall be subject, except in case of impeachment, to more than one trial, or one punishment for the same offense, nor shall be compelled in any criminal case, to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation. | Seventh Article: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case, to be a witnesses against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation. | Seventh Article: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. | Ratified: December 15, 1791 Fifth Amendment |
Ninth Article: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence. | Eighth Article: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favour, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence. | Eighth Article: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence. | Ratified: December 15, 1791 Sixth Amendment |
Tenth Article: The trial of all crimes (except in cases of impeachment, and in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual service in time of War or public danger) shall be by an Impartial Jury of the Vicinage, with the requisite of unanimity for conviction, the right of challenge, and other accostomed [sic] requisites; and no person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherways [sic] infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment by a Grand Jury; but if a crime be committed in a place in the possession of an enemy, or in which an insurrection may prevail, the indictment and trial may by law be authorised in some other place within the same State. | (see Seventh Article above) | ||
Eleventh Article: No appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States, shall be allowed, where the value in controversy shall not amount to one thousand dollars, nor shall any fact, triable by a Jury according to the course of the common law, be otherwise re-examinable, than according to the rules of common law. | Ninth Article: In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by Jury shall be preserved, and no fact, tried by a Jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. | Ninth Article: In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by Jury shall be preserved, and no fact, tried by a Jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. | Ratified: December 15, 1791 Seventh Amendment |
Twelfth Article: In suits at common law, the right of trial by Jury shall be preserved. | (see Ninth Article above) | ||
Thirteenth Article: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. | Tenth Article: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. | Tenth Article: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. | Ratified: December 15, 1791 Eighth Amendment |
Fourteenth Article: No State shall infringe the right of trial by Jury in criminal cases, nor the rights of conscience, nor the freedom of speech, or of the press. | |||
Fifteenth Article: The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. | Eleventh Article: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. | Eleventh Article: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. | Ratified: December 15, 1791 Ninth Amendment |
Sixteenth Article: The powers delegated by the Constitution to the government of the United States, shall be exercised as therein appropriated, so that the Legislative shall never exercise the powers vested in the Executive or Judicial; nor the Executive the powers vested in the Legislative or Judicial; nor the Judicial the powers vested in the Legislative or Executive. | |||
Seventeenth Article: The powers not delegated by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it, to the States, are reserved to the States respectively. | Twelfth Article: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. | Twelfth Article: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. | Ratified: December 15, 1791 Tenth Amendment |
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