C. Jenny Walbridge ©2022
(Inspired by Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the U. S. A.”)
I love this land I stand on
Maybe more than some could grasp.
I’m in red, white, blue tie-dye,
And a peace sign is my clasp.
From Denver to Seattle,
Going south to Georgia too,
Where Old Glory’s overhead,
The great bald eagles flew,
To Lady Liberty who towers,
Welcoming with hand of light
(Though our country in its guises was
Not always in the right)—
I am proud to be an American,
Where my family came to live.
Like others from those distant lands
Who now are here to give,
I want to stand up
Next to you,
So we can both salute
Our brave past; now, our future
Needs our people not to shoot!
From Chicago down to Texas
Innocents murdered in cold
Bloody NRA gets richer
That Amendment Two—so old!
From the swamps of Leeziana
To the sands of Arizone
The people upset, crying,
Health care stealing all they own.
Yet I’m proud to be an American,
Sharing all the problems here.
Trying to get help we need,
Not have sad eyes that tear.
And I want to sit down next to you,
Take your hand and say,
That we must play “together”
‘Cause we love the USA!
From first responders’ hurt lungs
To broken bones of the police,
Soldiers’ missing limbs,
PTSD—on the increase,
From teachers to bus drivers,
Truck unloaders, work all day,
Security guards, phoners
Working hard all night, I say,
That I love my fellow Americans
Who made the U. S. Number One!
They contributed their best
As our great citizens’ve done.
And I’ll gladly stand up next to them,
To save their bodies’ health
‘Cause they have strong American hearts—
Here’s where we know true wealth!
I’m glad to be an American,
But do we keep it for ourself?
Most of us came from afar;
Do we put others on a shelf?
Why don’t we stand up, write
A new agenda for our land
I think it’s time our country
Will become a smart new brand!
Yeah, I’m proud to be an American,
My humble nest is here.
I sometimes order pizza,
On the weekends, drink some beer.
I’d like to stand up next to you
In all our grief and pain—
How can we use our freedom
To bring peace? wonders this brain.
USA Dot Two
Is a newer version of
America, for winners,
Built by those of us who love
Our country and are ready
To try something that’s more green,
Flex our muscles, stretch our bones,
Take a leap over the mean!
I disliked actor Ronald Reagan
All the things that he would quote
And the trickle-down idea’s
Not exactly all she wrote.
Yet, I’m proud to be an American,
With friendly border lands.
No need for trade in weapons—
We want better games for our hands.
And I have to stand up
Next to those
Who’ll choose our leader new
By votes we’ll use our freedom,
Finding one who has a clue.
Stars on every U. S. flag,
Thirteen moon-months stripe
If any space is “tainted,”
Use that banner, “clean,” to wipe!
That’s the way we’ve ruled the Planet.
There could be a change:
Global collaborations with all over—
Is that strange?
I’m proud to be from the U. S.,
Tall mountains majesty,
And know that I don’t need a gun,
There’s peace, no tragedy.
From the lakes of ancient Persia
To the hills of Vietnam
Let us not fail to celebrate,
Not drop another bomb.
War finally done, some great ones died.
None need face fear now, right?!
The U. N. must do its work,
All nations giving light!
All share a home, it’s Planet Earth,
From sea to shining sea.
Why don’t we now collaborate
On laughs for you and me?
And I’d like to high-five you and hug
My neighbor from afar,
Let’s cooperate. We can still
Save our Earth, the Sun’s all star!
There ain’t no doubt we love our lands—
Let’s all help Earth, today:
The children from all over
And the ones with hair that’s grey—
It’s fine for the U. S. to lead
As long as we recall
That China’s differences are nice:
They’ve still got their Great Wall.
I can reach from where I’m at
To generate some health
For the whole planet’s welfare
Not just missiles labelled “Stealth.”
Let’s see if we can guide our hearts
Around the Earthly curve
With trips up into Space we’ll soon
Be viewing blue with verve!
How ‘bout some runs for poorer folks
From nations like our own—
With egos big but tools small—
Still dialing on the phone…
Well, wait a minute, here,
Maybe there’s a place for us::
On the world stage in peace—
Could we avoid a fuss?
I want you to stand up,
Next to me,
Look at ourselves and see
If we can extend a hand
Of justice, to be free!