America – The Meaning of Freedom

The moment when the darkness surrenders to the light
Across the land, golden rays whisper before erupting
Yes, these are the spacious skies of this great nation

The majestic beauty of thick forests of rich browns and greens
Jagged rocks of mountain peaks, some still dressed in white
Still blue waters that stretch on for a thousand acres

And none can omit those fields of grain, corn, and vegetables
Great plains, where bison roam, cattle graze, and ranchers thrive
Wetlands and waterways, teeming with life both below and above

These are the natural faces of this great land we call America
Where the bluest of skies gives hope to those who live here
Even on those days when the rains fall and the clouds roll by

America, land of the free, home of the brave, the last bastion of freedom
The place where planting a flag speaks libraires of words
For the red, white, and blue carries the sacrifices of millions

The heartbeat of this nation is found in the chest of every soldier
Sailors at sea, troops on the march, aircraft flying in the danger zone
Spouses and children waiting, listening the news, thoughts and prayers

Freedom is not just word to those families, it’s the empty space at the table
It is the ache carried in their hearts until the next homecoming
The folded flags and the endless stream of tears on the tarmac

When we speak of freedom, every man, woman, and child understands
Freedom isn’t free, it’s something we fight for each and every day
Something that nothing, I mean nothing can ever take away

There are roads in America that feel like promises
Long ribbons of asphalt stretching toward places we haven’t built yet
Places held open by the courage of those who stand watch in the dark

This land is your land, this land is my land, and this land is their land
Fought for, died for, and preserved for the generations still to come
It’s more than just a piece of ground, it’s a sanctuary, a place of refuge

For two hundred and fifty years this nation has endured
To those who ask why, it’s because love has always been stronger than fear
Because the sacrifice of the few means so much to the many

And each year, we celebrate with fireworks, fanfare, and families
When the soft light of evening whispers, the sky folds itself into gold and blue
You can feel the truth of it, America is not perfect, but it is precious

Additional Reading

R.J. (Ralph) Schwartz is an American poet, author, website owner, and online publisher. His writing spans several  poetry collections—ranging from spiritual and romantic to fear-driven explorations—and even extends into science fiction. Notable works include:

Poetry
  • Normal Was the First Casualty – A Collection of Dystopian  Poetry
  • Hope – Inspirational and Spiritual Poetry
  • Things That Go Bump in the Night – Poetry of Fear and Fright
  • The Lover’s Thread – Poetry for Couples
  • Poetry of the Human Condition – The Ups and Downs of Modern Living
  • The Secrets of the Moon (a sci-fi novel co-authored with his son Sebastian J. Schwartz)

Schwartz’s work is described as purposefully wordy, richly descriptive, and thematically grounded in nature, romance, antiquity, and forgotten historiesHe writes regularly on platforms he manages, including The Creative Exiles, a collaborative venue for writers, and The Gypsy Thread, which delves into offbeat histories, pagan lore, and poetry.

R J Schwartz
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R J Schwartz

I write about everything and sometimes nothing at all. I'm fascinated by old things, rusty things, abandoned places, or anywhere that a secret might be unearthed. I'm passionate about history and many of my pieces are anchored in one concept of time or another. I've always been a writer, dating back to my youth, but the last decade has been a time of growth for me. I'm continually pushing the limitations of vocabulary, syntax, and descriptive phrasing.

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