Poets’ Corner: Rosemerry’s “Love Letter to America”

08 Nov Poets’ Corner: Rosemerry’s “Love Letter to America”

According to news sources around the country the difference between Biden and Trump is “hope and light and love.” And now that the dust is settled and Joe Biden is #46, (Amen), the difference between us and – err – them? Telluride’s Word Woman Rosemerry Trommer has something to say on the subject.

Word Woman Rosemerry Trommer, courtesy reallife photographs.

Dear America,

I am your daughter.
I have marched in your main street parades,
and in my yard I fly your flag.
I pledge allegiance and sing your anthem.
My uncle and grandfather fought in your wars.
My other grandfather came to your shores
as a young boy and stayed to raise your power lines.
I climb your mountains and work your soil
and pick up trash on your highways.
I love you, America.
I vote in your polls and raise your children
and volunteer in your schools.
And because you are America,
I pay your taxes and call my senators
and protest in your streets.
I read your poets, relearn your history,
travel your back roads and cheer your teams.
You made me, America.
And I pray for you. And I pray in the way I choose to pray
because we can do that in America.
America, did we forget
our differences are what make us great?
Remember, America, the dream!
The wind is fierce today,
and I love the way it inspires the flag to wave into life.
Whatever is fierce around us is an invitation
to show up. Whatever is difficult
is a call to bring our best.
Whatever is uncertain is a chance
to be clearer in our thoughts, more generous in our speech.
America, it’s not a president
that makes our country great—
it’s us. How we treat each other.
How we meet our mistakes.
How we become the wind that raises the flag.
How our own  hearts must be the home of the brave.