To Ms. S, my favorite history teacher. You taught me so much.
It was the sound of our nation
Excitement. Elation.
The shouts of victory loudly rang
Songs of patriotism, they proudly sang
It was the sound of our nation
Despair. Devastation.
Towns lay scorched and bare
A heavy stillness in the air
It was the sound of our nation.
Reconfigure. Reconstruction.
Lincoln argued and Congress fought
A solution, an answer, highly sought
It was the sound of our nation
Upheaval. Assassination.
The theater had concealed a deadly foe
America was forced let its leader go
It was the sound of our nation
Accept the Constitution!
A new amendment added to the rest
Military districts were newly set
It is the sound of our nation
Contentment. Resignation.
And history repeats again and again
Some lessons aren’t learned. Circles don’t end.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
OK, but don't skip the part where Abe Lincoln is cut down in Ford's Theater shortly after Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House in April 1865. Abe had no time to see the whole thing through. End with something about a hard lesson earned and stress the fact that circles roll on and on! Just a thought!