The Funeral . . .

I attended a funeral recently for a man who lived 90 years.

The Preacher focused on the man’s life and all that he had seen in that life.
As we all listened, some mourners were moved to tears,
As they listened to the report of the man’s struggle and strife.
As I listened, my mind zeroed in on what changes he had seen, and those I, too, have seen.
The truth settled in that time does, indeed, bring changes along.
As I considered the changes I have seen, it felt like someone had smacked me in the chin,
And I became sad as it occurred to me that my nation lost something, and is not as strong.

My friend lying in the pine box was born in 1925,
At a time in history when immigrants from Europe did arrive.
Of course, today immigration is still going strong,
But according to our law, it is all being done wrong.

As I struggled to understand where we had gone so wrong,
It occurred to me that we had elected fools who had no interest in getting along.
They ignored the laws we already had in the book,
And slowly each one turned into a selfish crook.

On the world stage, our position as steadfast, dependable, and strong was damaged,
Our enemies no longer respected and feared us,
Our allies and friends no longer trust us – our integrity has been shredded like cabbage;
We have slidden so far, we now have a Prez who is just a sorry cuss.

As I left the funeral service, the Preacher’s words pounded inside my head,
And as I reflected on it all I was troubled with a sense of dread,
As I considered Ali’s and Abi’s lives, and what they will see,
And wondered in another 50 years what will the USA actually be?

We have come a long ways in travel, medicine, convenience and invention,
But we have strayed far from honor, dignity, truth, and convention.
We have become a people who have a lot of stuff,
But tragically, it is just never seems to be enough.

 

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