A Patriotic Stance Poem by RIC BASTASA

i have decided now, i will not go to another place
there is no other place than this

i am singing here and writing poems for my loved ones
whatever i do here turns out to be pleasing
and my heart beautifully sings for the living

what can i ask more of myself, or of this place where i was born
wherever i look or turn my gaze
i always see the blooming flowers and green bushes

my years are spent but not wasted, nothing is ever destroyed
whatever is sown, grows here
whatever is built remains strong

i can't find another country
this country has been so good to me

i will walk its streets, i may grow old in the same neighborhood
there are always ships and roads but i am not going anywhere
i have chosen now & this
i live here and shall die here
there is no other.