Divided or United? by LTBC Poet laureate, Prof. Keith Gilbert

Our Nation of some 325 Million
are deeply divided on many issues …
So, are we still a United States?

Our Nation is a curious quilt … indeed,
An amalgam of multiply-cultured
Colored threads … interwoven into a
Sinewy, random pattern…

Our Quilt is so spectrally & spiritually
In-homogeneous as to defy description …but
Note:  our quilt has a triad of Unique Properties

                Our tightly-woven fabric is super strong,
                Yielding warmth & security to its People …
                Yet our Quilt is replete with wrinkles …
                                - Prodigious power & wealth of the 1%
                                - Ubiquitous drugs & crime
                                - unabated conflicts with far-flung “enemies,” etc

             But note … an obvious foible in our Quilt is
             A gaping hole at its center – indeed,
             Our beautiful Quilt is so polarized that
             It has no center!

So, pray tell, what elixirs bend our Quilt?
Again, we enjoy three powerful epoxies …
Faith, Freedom, & Hope …

1)       Our Nation is one of Formidable Faith …
   A Superior Being provides a Radiant Laser
   To guide & nurture us

2)      Our Constitution ensures enduring Freedoms,
   Including Speech, Religion, Press, Petition, and
   The Right to Bear Arms

3)      Our Faith & Liberties Engender Hope …
  Belief in a Chance to Live a good Life
  And seek a better one

So this is why our Unique Quilt unites us
even without a Center
due to Extreme Political Polarization

Yet the Tenacious trio of Goods -
Our Faith & Indelible Freedoms engender
Patriotism and enable Hope.

Though our Nation will continue to debate
Much, the enduring Health and Strength of our
Uniquely-woven Quilt assures we
Will forever remain United.

-          K. Gilbert, Jan 2016