Today's poem is by Terrance Hayes

AMERICAN SONNET & GOLDEN SHOVEL FOR THE TREE OF LIBERTY
       

Regarding my meditations & notes on the
Constitution constituted by a genealogical tree
Of white Christian merchants, of lawyers, of
Military men, of land & slave owners penning liberty
(Not a true priest nor farmer, nor artist, nor must-
Ache among them) : the laws constituted must naturally be
Intended to maintain, sustain & occasionally refresh
The power (equal to freedom) of people like them with
Little thought about others. Will you go to war with the
Appropriate weapon? Men armed with self-righteous blood
Will break you & laws very often. Make something of
Your suffering if you mean to survive it. Heroes & patriots
Are defined as those with a mind for sacrifice and
A love for country when defined by fools & tyrants.

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Copyright © 2024 Terrance Hayes All rights reserved
from So To Speak
Penguin Books
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission