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Politics and Activism

America On Fire

A Poem About Our Current Situation In America

Rhett Starnes

Aug 30, 2016

Boone, North Carolina

108

16 Petals of Blue Light

America on fire

Gun shots in the street

Show them sign language be dead on your feet

Put your hands up and cooperate with seven shots in your face

Live the dream of the land of the free

Wake up in the home of the brave

Until you come home from war

No benefits from the VA

Cause fighting is free with the added benefits of vertigo and PTSD

Lose your family and your friends for false accusations

Be free to be randomly screened by the TSA

Be free to drink the dirty water in Flint while our politicians laugh

America’s on fire but not all of us see

The dead in the streets

The hungry and the poor

The single mothers evicted because they can’t get paid

We let these problems pass as we sleep tight with Uncle Sam and Miss Liberty

Ignoring their tears and all their screams for equality

Because all we see is the American Dream

The good life

Where we eat and drink

Where we walk in the grace of God

Because blessings come as long as we praise

That’s what we see in the light with our back turned to the dark

We ignore the scholars who can’t afford school

We call our hungry lazy as we sweep them under the street

We appropriate but refuse to cooperate

America on fire

Like were back in the forties

With no relief in sight

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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America On Fire

A Poem About Our Current Situation In America

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This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face

Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket

Pop Twelve White Grapes

Burn Something

Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

Time to be merry and bright.

"First Noel" by Leslie Odom, Jr

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Kelly Clarkson

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" by Michael Buble

"Last Christmas" by Taylor Swift

"The Christmas Song" by Josh Groban

"White Christmas" by Idina Menzel

"O Holy Night" by David Archuleta

"Believe" by Josh Groban

"Les cloches du hameau" by Celine Dion

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

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