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We

E Pluribus Unum ~ Out Of Many, One
[Author's note: E Pluribus Unum is a traditional motto of the United States, but the scope of this poem is intended to be of a more global scale.]
We are farmhands, postal workers, we are rich industrialists We are pilots, sailors, warriors, mathematicians, scientists We are doctors, nurses, dentists; taking care of those in need We are teachers, flight attendants, moms and dads with mouths to feed We post blogs, develop websites, we are software engineers We are athletes, video gamers, we're retired volunteers We are dancers, painters, sculptors, we are actors on the stage We are clerks, construction workers, pay for night school with our wage We are high school educated, college maybe, or hard knocks We are barbers and beauticians, drive a truck or work on docks We are clergy, civic leaders, wardens at the county jail Roll in wheelchairs, use sign language, wear prosthetics, read by Braille We are bankers, tax accountants, proud grandparents, husbands, wives, We are activists who strive to give our children better lives We are widows, orphans, childless; we feel sorrow to the core We are social workers, advocates of justice for the poor We make music or just listen, sing out loud or softly hum We are common, we are special, we are those who overcome We are poets and songwriters, we write letters to our kin Sharing stories of our life, of where we're going, where we've been We are those with beating hearts, with flexing muscles, red blood cells Kidney donors, missionaries, we help dig fresh water wells We praise God in mosque or church, in synagogue or kingdom hall, In a temple, or in nature, maybe have no God at all We are from around the planet, we have skin of every tone We have short hair, long hair, no hair, kinky hair; we're not alone We esteem diversity; you value me, I value you Always with respect for those who hold a different point of view This, my dream: to be united when it all is said and done Though we may not be there yet, we share this journey - We are one. Written 1 Feb 2022

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022




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Date: 8/29/2024 8:40:00 PM
What a beautiful and true poem. We are all the same and all different aren't we ? To me as a Catholic, we are all from God. Your last stanza is my favorite. This piece of writing was so important, well thought out, and true. I'm so happy to have found it. Congrads' on your well deserved win. What a fabulous piece of writing.
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Date: 4/22/2022 1:08:00 AM
Congrats on the win!!! Well deserved...A beautiful pen and a wonderful moral! Have a great day!
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John Watt
Date: 9/15/2022 1:01:00 PM
Komal, thank you for your kind thoughts and congrats ~ John
Date: 2/27/2022 3:23:00 PM
This is so wonderful John . It brought tears to my eyes . So very true ! So important. We need to read this and be this and feel this daily . WE ARE ONE !! I embrace your words and I embrace humanity . Let’s all learn to do the same ! A fav!! Blessings and belated congratulations on your win . Hugs, Susan :)
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John Watt
Date: 2/27/2022 9:38:00 PM
Susan, thank you for the lovely comment, it really made my day. I appreciate knowing you embrace this message so enthusiastically and am grateful for the fav. Hugs ~ John
Date: 2/20/2022 11:07:00 AM
I love your poetry and the subjects you explore through your words John. And most of all I love your vision. Cheers - Gary
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John Watt
Date: 2/20/2022 8:20:00 PM
Thank you Gary. These are very affirming words to hear and I am so very appreciative ~ John
Date: 2/19/2022 4:52:00 PM
Hello John ... gosh; if only. We are everybody on this earth with the same goals, lives, hopes, and yet we cannot blend together. A fine awakening poem indeed John - Lindsay
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John Watt
Date: 2/19/2022 5:22:00 PM
"You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one" ~ J. Lennon. Let's keep dreaming, and writing the dream and doing our little part in our little slice of the world. Thanks for the thoughtful comment, Lindsay.
Date: 2/19/2022 12:15:00 PM
Congratulations, baseball fan. As Russia enters Ukraine and people Slaughter each other..... needed nessage Panagiota
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John Watt
Date: 2/19/2022 4:46:00 PM
Thank you for coming by and offering your support, Pangie. I hope your walking is getting stronger with each passing day. Hugs ~ John
Date: 2/18/2022 11:39:00 AM
CONGRATULATIONS, JOHN!!! This is such a well-deserved win! I know I've already commented, but I am beyond proud that you placed first in this contest! I had no doubt that you would win! This poem is a beautiful touch back with reality and how much we all truly have in common! I'm going to print this and share with my students, if you don't mind! Bravo, my wonderful friend!! Much love...Meghan
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John Watt
Date: 2/19/2022 4:45:00 PM
I don't mind you sharing this with your students, Meghan. Let's make unity, equality, mutual respect, and tolerance a reality, one person at a time. Thank you for your enthusiastic support, you are so kind. Blessings ~ John
Date: 2/18/2022 4:24:00 AM
And we are all poets at heart. Nicely written, John, thanks for sharing. Congrats on your win. John
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John Watt
Date: 2/19/2022 4:43:00 PM
Thank you, John. I so appreciate your kind words. Yes, we are all poets at heart. ~ John
Date: 2/18/2022 12:17:00 AM
Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing this... full of wisdom. God bless you.
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John Watt
Date: 2/19/2022 4:43:00 PM
Thank you for stopping by and leaving me with your kind comment, Beata. Grace and peace ~ John
Date: 2/17/2022 9:40:00 PM
Well done, John, congratulations on your win.
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John Watt
Date: 2/17/2022 9:58:00 PM
Eve, thank you for stopping by and blessing me with your congrats. Hugs ~ John
Date: 2/17/2022 7:28:00 PM
"We are one" - Beautifully written. Congratulations!
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John Watt
Date: 2/17/2022 9:57:00 PM
I appreciate the read and the affirming comment, Christuraj
Date: 2/17/2022 2:52:00 PM
John, thank you for participating, your poem struck me in the best poetic way, I couldn't get enough of 'WE' , enjoyed every line and what a beautiful ending! Well thought through, executed and delivered. M.
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John Watt
Date: 2/17/2022 5:16:00 PM
Margarita, I'm very blessed to know you were pleased by this poem, and I'm honored by your placement and very kind words. I'm looking forward to reading the other winning poems. Thank you for sponsoring ~ John
Date: 2/11/2022 7:28:00 AM
You are such an eloquent and magnificent poet, that whatever or however you choose to display your poetic talents you will always be in a win win situation! Hugs and blessings John, Jennifer.
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John Watt
Date: 2/17/2022 5:15:00 PM
I am always grateful for your hugs and blessings, my friend, as well as the time you take to read and the affirming messages you leave behind. Such a gift you are!
Date: 2/5/2022 5:23:00 PM
Gosh, I'm in awe! This should be the 'National Anthem of the World,' John. Seriously, why not submit this to your Church for instant publication, as well as to global organizations with clout?... Maybe the Bill Gates Foundation or another (less radical?) Fund. I really mean it.... You have nailed the 'art of messaging' with this one. And now to scream FAVE FAVE FAVE FAVE! Thanks, Gershon
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John Watt
Date: 2/5/2022 9:44:00 PM
An all caps quadruple fave from the Wolfman! I am touched, sincerely, my brother. I am so glad you found meaning in this message. I am growing in my understanding and broadening my scope of human diversity just by being here at Poetry Soup, and I hope others are as well. So kind of you to encourage me in this way. Blessings to you my friend.
Date: 2/4/2022 7:37:00 PM
This is truly extraordinary, John, you have gathered all the disparate parts of this land and brought out how we can come together (one of my favorite Beatles songs, by the way) I especially love 'roll in wheelchairs, read in Braille' line, so often our differently abled friends and neighbors are overlooked - thank you also for the praying 'in nature, or no God at all' - I feel closest to whatever God may be in nature - I have no choice but to FAVE FAVE FAVE this!v (soupmail)
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John Watt
Date: 2/5/2022 9:41:00 PM
Michelle, knowing you I can fully understand why Come Together would be your favorite Beatles song! I am humbled and blessed by your wonderful comment and triple fave (all caps, no less) I will be responding more fully in my soupmail to you. Thank you deeply.
Date: 2/4/2022 7:19:00 PM
wow, amazing work, and like a masterpiece, john. FAVE
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John Watt
Date: 2/5/2022 9:39:00 PM
Amazing comment, Andrea. So grateful for your fave and lovely affirmation.
Date: 2/4/2022 9:04:00 AM
My amazing poet friend John! WOW!! What a brilliant, beautiful, accurate, and thought-provoking image of the complicated simplicity in which we live. "We are common, we are special, we are those who overcome." That's only one of the spectacular truths in your message! John, you have a beautiful gift, and I can't see how you won't win this contest! So glad so to finally see your brilliance! Much love and God bless...Meghan
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John Watt
Date: 2/4/2022 12:47:00 PM
Meghan, I truly value your careful read and kind comment. I know from your own poetry that these issues are important to you as well, so I am doubly gratified to receive your generous reply. Thank you, and God bless ~ John
Date: 2/2/2022 12:43:00 PM
John,After reading your poem, I realized we have a pretty good country. It all leads to one thing: "Freedom." That's what separates us from the rest of the world. To bring all of us together, that will take God. I enjoyed the poem. Blessing  ~ Debra
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John Watt
Date: 2/4/2022 11:30:00 AM
Debra, thank you for reading my long poem and taking time to leave this thoughtful reply. I agree we have a good country. I think we are at our best when we see ourselves as part of an international community. That's one thing I love about Poetry Soup. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Date: 2/2/2022 3:13:00 AM
Modern communications have in a way shrunk the world with airlines flying to every country. I too long for the day when we all show respect for one another regardless of race or religious differences. We live in hope, hope you are keeping well John. Tom
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John Watt
Date: 2/2/2022 9:35:00 AM
"You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one" ~ J. Lennon. I agree, the modern technology in comms, transportation, and especially the internet, our world has gotten smaller. Poetry Soup is a great example of how we can interact with people from all over the world and learn to understand people of different cultures and viewpoints. Thanks for the visit.
Date: 2/1/2022 11:51:00 PM
I believe our connection with others is becoming stronger throughout the world as is our appreciation for our differences. This includes most everyone John. Splendid! Blessings xxoo
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John Watt
Date: 2/2/2022 1:25:00 AM
Connie, I so agree with your optimistic assessment. Yes, there are exceptions, but I believe we are learning to be a global community with increased acceptance and tolerance. Thank you for the lovely and uplifting comment. Blessings ~ John