Over two hundred years ago our ancestors planted a beautiful tree called Liberty.
It grew from an idea of a few inspired men, but soon spread for many others to see.
Most Americans were devoted to their king, and did not understand how to be free.
Like any worthwhile plant it took time for this seed to grow in the hearts of humanity,
Over taxation, with no representation watered the seed in the hearts of men,
Thomas Payne fertilized the sprouting seeds with words from his noble pen.
As liberty sprouted her elegance and beauty begin to capture the hearts of many,
Soon her principles and ideals were stirring and changing the hearts of plenty.
A special group of men, from our fledgling nation, erected her as a symbol one day,
This "Declaration of Independence" spread her roots throughout America's clay.
War and bloodshed was the price that was paid to help her sapling branches grow,
Protecting liberty against those who would destroy her branches started long ago.
Men of valor, though they were outnumbered, stood in defense of truth and right,
Courage, faith, and the providence of God, helped them to defeat Britain in her might.
Men of vision, framed the constitution organizing how we tend to liberty's progress,
They designed a Republic with checks and balances, praying for liberty's success.
This government allowed each citizen to participate in its course by allowing a vote,
Amendments were adopted, allowing free speech and assembly for citizens to denote.
Soon the tree of liberty was firmly planted in the hearts of all Americans both young and old,
It was, and is, the central pursuit in the preservation of the American way, above wealth or gold.
The allegiance given to liberty pursuit comes from all races, genders, and stations,
The Ideals of liberty have molded hearts and souls effecting all our social relations.
Today liberty stands, a beautiful tree, growing in the hearts of most American's.
Constant vigilance is required to keep liberty alive in the hearts of each native son.
Our devotion to the USA and our willingness to die in her defense is the price we pay.
We strengthen or weaken liberty's branches, by our thoughts and actions every day.
May both native and adopted sons of America ponder what you have done to nourish liberty!
When is the last time that you seriously contemplated the value of being happy and free?
This nation, or any nation, is no weaker, or no stronger, then the people in her houses,
Liberty is sustained only as the majority of our population values the ideals she espouses.
May each of us, water the tree of liberty until her roots, and her ideals,
are planted firmly in our hearts,
By our examples, may we take the time to spread liberty's values,
until she grows billions of new starts!
Then may we share her fruit with every nation, and every people,
until they earnestly seek to grow her on their own,
That her seeds may be planted everywhere in the world,
until the ideals she represents, are the only ones known!Von E. Weeks
Copyright 2002 It is illegal to use this poem without the author's permission.
~~ Send your comments and/or use permission request to Von. ~~ |
