The Sound Of A Nation Poem by Jane Duskey

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.