the land where i grew

In the land where i grew you could say what you thought
I loved my land

In the land where i grew pink-skinned men ruled, but things were getting better
I loved my land

In the land where i grew religion was kept from government halls
I loved my land

In the land where i grew you couldn’t go wherever you wanted
A land of fences, but i had hope

In the land where i grew we learned that bad men torture
I loved my land

In the land where i grew many “crimes” had no victim
But i had hope

In the land where i grew people faced death and horror to reach our shores
I loved my land

In the land where i grew leaders lied
Maine Lusitania Pearl Tonkin 9/11
Because we didn’t want war

In the land where i grew children starved
While we spent as much on death machines
As the rest of the world combined

In the land where i grew “electoral college” and “classified”
Took away our power to choose our leader
Took away our truth

In the land where i grew “defense” budget became a lie
In the land where i grew the unconvicted are jailed
In the land where i grew the helpless are tortured
We’ve ignored Mr. Jefferson for 182 years
A beautiful dream is done
And life calls forth
A brighter one