No Longer a Beacon

Built on the backs of our ancestors,

who arrived from places far and wide.

Searching for hope and opportunity,

with the promise of prosperity for all.

Anyone who comes is welcome here,

new citizens to make democracy strong.

Traveling from east and spreading west,

claiming land for their new homes.

Over the decades America stood strong,

a beacon of strength to the world.

Sending our soldiers to war many times,

to help our allies fight evil abroad.

Americans worked to achieve their dreams,

enriching the country with hard work.

Off the backs of immigrant citizens,

we became the richest country in the world.

Decades have passed and much has changed,

generosity and compassion have waned.

The greed of billionaires drained any wealth,

from the citizens who work every day.

Those who are supposed to serve us,

seem to only serve themselves.

The rest of the world looks upon us,

as a threat to democracy for all.

Our gift from France many years ago,

the Statue of Liberty stands tall.

With words engraved in bronze to last,

to greet all freedom seekers who came:

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Once we were a beacon to the world,

a country to look up to and admire.

I pray that someday we will wake up,

and return her to a place of high esteem.