Pride and Shame

18 Comments

Pride and Shame

 

How proud we are of these United States

How high we hold her image

The flag we cherish. Her open gates.

A haven from hate and bondage. 

This pride we feel was paid for in blood

By those that came before

We owe them a debt never to be repaid

A sacrifice we cannot ignore.

The United States a beacon of light 

For all the world to view

If the shadow we cast is any less

We must pledge to begin anew

Our pride has been challenged in the past

   Yes, shame has been our lot

Fueled by unjust men who have been miscast

As leaders they were not.

    So the time has come to reclaim the times

 When our hearts were filled with pride

The clock is ticking, hear the distant chimes

Add your voice to the rising tide.

 

©Copyright 2007 Charlie Gragg 

Poem Comments

(18)

Please login or register

You must be logged in or register a new account in order to
leave comments/feedback and rate this poem.

Login or Register

mamasan commented on Pride and Shame

11-23-2009

Ah, it is so great to hear words that carry weight and fulfill our duty as citizens. Each citizen, Sr. Rosita advised, should always make use of there freedom rights and that means calling in and writing to let them know what you find amiss. Now, that was advice eons ago when I attended 6th grade. Its good your taking her advice even though you never met her. I am being facetious but I really mean it.....you are a bard who takes participating seriously. mamasan

Hampton

11/23/2009

We must lend our voice to all things good as well as shameful if we are to survive.

Secretdreams commented on Pride and Shame

09-27-2009

I LOVE THIS ONE. I AM SO PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!!!

Hampton

09/27/2009

One of my favorites as well. Thanks.

Charlie23 commented on Pride and Shame

08-14-2009

Your so right that we are in debt to the fallen. Their sacrifice can not be in vain.

Hampton

09/27/2009

A belated thank you for reading and commenting

Helios commented on Pride and Shame

08-07-2009

I am a Vietnamese-American who was very touched by your poem. I am endebted to this country for the ideas and freedom to persue my education. Thank-you again.

Hampton

09/27/2009

I'm a little late in my response but I thank you for your comments.

GentleT commented on Pride and Shame

07-14-2009

Return from the dust Mr. Eagle scream and cry! I agree with you.

Hampton

07/14/2009

Thanks

If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) American poet.

Hampton’s Poems (111)

Title Comments
Title Comments
Searching 5
The Poetess 14
Nonsense 12
Solitude 18
Lame Limericks 14
Message to Papa 15
Young Jimmy O’Fallon 11
The Computer From Hell 18
Life Ain’t for Sissies 16
The Mind In Motion 13
The Game of Poetry 9
Silence 55
WordSlinger 19
Holiday Thoughts 12
Sweet Mary 18
From White to Grey to Black 19
The Reckoning 12
And All of That Jazz 16
Today 25
No Offense, Just My Opinion 16
Lucky 10
You’re Only as Old as You Feel 13
Saturday Night 13
Political Change? 14
The Female Gender 17
I’m In Charge Here, Aren’t I? ( With Epilogue) 10
I’m In Charge Here, Aren’t I? 7
Remembering 11
This Web We Weave 13
The End 16
The Day the Clouds Cried 16
The Path of Life 12
My Mother Ruth 12
Forever–ast
er
11
Humanities Challenge 14
A Cowboy's Perspective 12
July in Buda Texas 14
The OP Poets Parade 20
The Chatelaine 12
Shot Through the Heart 17
Poetry and Fine Wine 18
The Man What Am 10
The Final Beat of My Heart 16
The Rainbow of Poets 19
A Cowboy's Lament 13
Of This World I am Not 17
The Wee People 19
An Evening at an Irish Pub 15
The Scent of Love 14
Fresh News from Buda Texas 16
Memories of Times Past 13
The Dance of the Poets 20
The Confession 14
Road to Obscurity 18
Barbara 14
Shadows 15
Prescience 17
Words That Bind 54
Wondering 26
New Year News from Buda Texas 13
We Are All Witnesses 16
Christmas 25
A Cowboy’s Prayer 29
The 9 ers 24
Love Defined 27
Tis a Time to Give Thanks 21
More News From Buda Texas 26
Choices 26
News from Buda, Texas 21
In Search of God 21
Writers of Poems (WOPs) 26
Out of the Darkness 15
Visions from Within the Mist 18
Baseball 12
The Night Stalker 16
The Man I Presume to be Buck 16
The Sounds of Time 17
The Little Man in the Green Hat 18
Blah Blah Blah 14
One Two Three 13
Carpe Viam 11
Love in the Afternoon 13
The Moth 14
Lost & Dungeons of the Mind 11
The Creative Process 19
The Truth and the Tribe 19
The Long Wait. 19
Feathers 26
The Arrow 14
Take Two Cialis and Call Me in the Morning 26
Ghostly Images 16
Friends 11
Angels Without Wings 20
IN MY OWN WORDS 13
The Rider 16
Pride and Shame 18
The Winning Poet is.... 21
Memories 13
Politicians 67
Your Mailbox Is Empty 18
God's Visit 17
Poets and Poems 20
Love Thy Neighbor 13
Renewal 8
The Roar of Silence 17
Blessed Are These Days 4
Time and Space 5
Life's Journey 8
Gift To The Fallen 16
Hunger 21
The Antique Shop 30