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America the Broken

“O beautiful for spacious skies” yet marred by all it’s leaders lies. See it’s “amber waves of grain” beneath them hidden is a stain I pause “For purple mountain majesties” yet that’s not all that my heart sees There “above the fruited plain” Souls cry out for justice in their pain. “America, America God Shed his grace on thee” His grace for all people, not just those who are white like me “Till souls wax fair as earth and air” and there is justice everywhere We can’t stay silent amidst despair for many do not receive their equal share. I pray for healing across your land “And music hearted sea” That differences can be embraced so that your nation is truly free “O beautiful for pilgrim feet” where all are blessed with food to eat “Whose stern impassioned stress” leads to more instead of less “A thoroughfare, for freedom beat” where hearts and souls and all minds meet “Across the wilderness” on city streets determined to march to a different beat “America, America God mend thy every flaw Confirm thy soul in self control Thy liberty in law” “O beautiful for heroes proved” once on knees for those they loved Now men who promised to serve and protect Place a collective knee on a black man’s neck So come together one and all “In liberating strife” Bring passion, signs, voices strong no need for brick or knife “Who more than self, their country loved And mercy more than life” will do their best to change the tides and reduce their brother’s strife “America, America May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness and every gain divine” “Oh beautiful for patriot dream” Yet many aren’t blessed it seems Them “that sees beyond the years” pray for days that bring joyful tears “Thine alabaster cities gleam” can embrace an ebony dream Once “Undimmed by human tears” we’ll be able to see beyond our fears. “America, America God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good for brotherhood From sea to shining sea.” “America the Beautiful” is the Foundation of this piece. I was inspired by Daniel Turner’s Blog of the same name. The sentiments of Katherine Lee Bate’s poem are Beautiful. Sadly not all of your nation’s people share in this dream. Abraham Lincoln in 1858 gave a speech about “A house Divided against itself cannot stand.” to 1000 Republican delegates. It would be wise to ponder these words that were originally spoken by Jesus. http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/house.htm

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020




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Date: 8/16/2024 7:17:00 AM
Fantastic
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/19/2024 8:08:00 AM
Thanks so much.
Date: 2/9/2021 9:05:00 AM
this should have been read at the Inauguration...I read it again but I'm reading this to my husband now...
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Date: 12/15/2020 4:16:00 AM
BRAVO..absolutely loved it...keeping as a fav.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/15/2020 7:26:00 AM
Thanks Nora, what a great response. Hugs Rick.
Date: 11/1/2020 2:56:00 AM
Yes Richard the division is created and promoted by the Puppet Masters. Your piece is in my opinion very accurate. You are very insightful to write such truths about America, A favorite for me. Stay well my friend...
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/1/2020 6:01:00 AM
Thanks Michael.
Date: 10/22/2020 6:33:00 AM
WoW! Richard, Your poetry is so impactful and meaningful! I too believe that is America broken. I remain optimistic that healing will come to America and folk worldwide. Excellent write- Alexis
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/1/2020 6:01:00 AM
Thanks Alexis.
Date: 7/23/2020 7:03:00 AM
Hi Richard, another powerful, honest write from your golden pen. You always know how to make people sit up and take notice of things through your wonderful words. This is a magnificent write. The words come straight from the heart and mind of a caring individual. I love the content of this write. It has to be a fav. Have a wonderful thursday. Blessings....Mike.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/1/2020 6:02:00 AM
Thanks Mike.
Date: 7/17/2020 7:56:00 AM
WoW!! A magnificent, and most significant poem, Richard. Your ink arrows strike to the heart of the matter. LOVE will always rule the day. May love and peace rest upon you always.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/17/2020 8:52:00 AM
You as well my friend. Good to see you back.
Date: 7/3/2020 11:23:00 PM
You got that right, Richard. Right on. Write on!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/13/2020 8:57:00 AM
Thanks Eric. ;0)
Date: 7/2/2020 5:01:00 PM
Hello Richard Lamourex,, I am hoping that there will be justice and peace. People should get along with one another. Living peacefully.Enjoy your evening my friend.
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Date: 6/19/2020 8:04:00 PM
So beautiful and true, Richard. I pray that truth and justice will be restored to our land and allll our people. Thank you for such a wonderful expression of love and real patriotism.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/20/2020 6:13:00 AM
Thanks Carole, hugs Rick
Date: 6/16/2020 2:08:00 AM
A very beautiful poem with an equally strong message. We need to realise the importance of equality. Lovely. Rashi
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/16/2020 8:36:00 AM
Thanks Rashi. ;0)
Date: 6/15/2020 10:17:00 PM
This is powerful, Rick! I pray for the day all Americans feel and know the ideals that make our country great in theory. The founding fathers wrote our Constitution based on Christian values, but many of them owned slaves and did not treat all people as equal. Laws are only as good as the people who uphold them. God bless you for writing this...A fave. Blessings, Rhonda xx
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/16/2020 8:37:00 AM
A worthy prayer. Thanks for the visit and blessing.
Date: 6/15/2020 1:55:00 PM
Wow. Well penned indeed. Winston Churchill once said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others. We are seeing that today. My world view makes room for the idiots that exist in our society. They might be politicians, police, men who abandon their children and other things. Engage in things that are meaningful... and make things better. If your government is not working, throw the bums out and give someone else a chance. Have a great day my friend.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/15/2020 11:27:00 PM
This response brings a smile. What a great quote. Thanks for the visit.
Date: 6/15/2020 12:24:00 PM
Richard This is a wonderful poem! Your words are the words of many across the world! I love America and have enjoyed every holiday there with my family! But a mad man has torn it to pieces in his megalomaniac insolence!! The world has discovered a new way of telling blatant lies and justifying it and even selling it! Your poem is a great appeal to the conscience of people to save the country!!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/15/2020 11:28:00 PM
It’s very scary, I hope enough people vote to get him out of office. Thanks for the visit.
Date: 6/15/2020 5:28:00 AM
A poem that depicts what is going on with our friends south of the border dearest, Richard. Excellent satire!
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Date: 6/14/2020 5:01:00 PM
Such a heartfelt poem Rick. This poem makes people reeled in and those words are beauty. "Thine alabaster cities gleam” can embrace an ebony dream Once “Undimmed by human tears” we’ll be able to see beyond our fears. This is my favorit part, such a deep meaning and so intrigue, seems like you brought us dive into a crowds and let us think what is the core left beneath all of it. Thank you for always writing and be the inspiration, Rick. And thank you for always support my writings.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/14/2020 6:09:00 PM
My pleasure Yanny. Hugs Rick.
Date: 6/14/2020 6:04:00 AM
What a wonderful tribute to America dear Richard. I see your poetry is still alive and well, may you continue to be inspired for many a poem more. Have a great day . prayer hugs xo
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/14/2020 9:42:00 AM
Thanks and a big hug back to you.
Date: 6/14/2020 1:39:00 AM
Such an exceptional piece! Keep the ink pouring!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/14/2020 9:42:00 AM
Thanks Friend.
Date: 6/13/2020 1:18:00 PM
Hi Rick - your wrote a gem, I am with you 100% of the way hence my two poems Bang Bang and Going Forward. Bang Bang was something that kept churning in my mind and Going Forward was a poem I posted about 18 months ago - I re-posted it as it was so relevant to the events happening now. A beauty of a poem - Your contest "I can't breathe' will be awesome to . judge. I am not entering obviously but I'm itching to write a poem about it, not for the contest. Kudo's Rick for this write. Hugs, Jenn.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/13/2020 2:59:00 PM
I will check them out Jennifer, thanks for the visit. Hugs Rick.
Date: 6/12/2020 1:26:00 PM
This is outstanding, Richard. I hope everyone who reads this poem takes the message to heart. The stain of racism is blemishing the spirit of our nation. Well done! Best wishes, Carolyn
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/13/2020 8:23:00 AM
Thanks for your thoughtful response Carolyn. Blessings Rick.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/13/2020 8:22:00 AM
Thanks for your thoughtful response Carolyn. Blessings Rick.
Date: 6/11/2020 6:48:00 PM
Impassioned word's thoughts and sentiments Richard . Well said and put Excellent
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Christopher Flaherty
Date: 6/15/2020 1:30:00 PM
Agreed Richard it's not all bad. Just need to focus on the positive not the negative. As the old saying goes do as i say not as i do
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/13/2020 8:27:00 AM
Still I think there is much greatness within them. America is still a very young country. Perhaps they are at the teenager stage of development.
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Christopher Flaherty
Date: 6/12/2020 11:54:00 AM
America outwardly from a foreigner perspective doesn't seem to do warts all or be willing to able to explore its faults. I have never seen an American be it movie tv or soap that has a fat person ugly person or poor person in it. They seem to gloss over them and in doing so create an alternative reality where they simply dont exist Plausible deniability
Date: 6/11/2020 2:05:00 AM
Rick, this is amazing re-telling of the famous song in language that we in America need to consider and act upon. We say we believe that all men are created equal but the evidence shows otherwise. Well done, and thank you for pointing to the Lincoln speech; it was enlightening ~ John
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/11/2020 10:38:00 AM
Thanks John, I appreciate your thoughts.
Date: 6/10/2020 12:25:00 AM
a poem, that needed to be written!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/10/2020 8:39:00 AM
Thanks Harry. Much appreciated.
Date: 6/9/2020 10:54:00 PM
America can be beautiful, when, in the words of Rev. Martin Luther King, this nation rises up, and lives out the true meaning of its creed-We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal! Thank you for sharing this great poem. Blessings, Evelyn
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/9/2020 11:40:00 PM
Thanks Evelyn. Well expressed. Blessings Richard.
Date: 6/8/2020 9:39:00 PM
This is beyond words... Life in general is passing through a phase and truly it shall pass. Humanity bleeds, virtue is on a standstill, all lives matter and those who are suppose to protect are now advocates of the devil, nevertheless, it shall pass and America will stand tall once again. As always, a great, great write.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/8/2020 10:29:00 PM
Thanks Funom for such a thoughtful response.
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