Oh, America! Poem by Elizabeth Padillo Olesen

America, America!
You have fought for freedom,
Marched many battles against
Slavery, hate and divisions
But you have reached the mountain
of truth of the innate equality of all.

You are a country of native dreamers,
immigrants and welcomed strangers,
upholding freedom and democracy for all.
You look at your freedom much related
to the freedom of others; hence you
take part in the global act for liberation.

But today's presidential election
shakes the very foundation of your
Statue of Liberty when building walls
against the others
is mouthed as slogan and goal;
when assaults on women
are highlighted and accepted.

When insults and bullies reverberate
in microphones and conspiracy theories
condition the mind to accept only success
and not defeat; when greatness of a
country is measured by mega success
in wealth, power and
own self protection;
When truth is difficult to find
in files of lies and from hearts that hate.
______________________________
October 17,2016,22 days before US election