a poem for july 4, 2020

deep inside me
there's a voice screaming
"what have you done,
America?"



I can't unsee
the man on the ground
crushed by the weight of
a country
broken
from its beginning











and deep inside me
there's also a child
in red, white, and blue
singing songs of her
beloved America



the smell of burgers
the sound of cheering
the swelling of pride
that has changed
but still lingers
like memories of home








I am two voices now



one demanding justice,
demanding we live up to
those words of
declaration



one still singing
softly
with tears
and shaken hope










which voice is stronger?
or are they the same
pleading




"land where my fathers died,
land of the pilgrims pride,
from every mountainside,
let freedom ring"