Happy Birthday

Born of a declaration
demanding independence.
A revolt against the crown,
holding to a dream of inalienable rights.

Things were different then.
Breaking off from a conqueror
yet maintaining conquering ideology.
In fact emboldened by it.

But it has been long enough.
There has been time to mature–
two hundred and forty-five years–
and time for reparation.

Some who live and work here
still only dream of inalienable rights,
too often treated as the conquered,
boxed in by unequal rule and law.

America can still be strong!
America must be the home of the brave!
But let go of the conquering ideology,
especially within our own borders.

We were born to be better!
We can still be the land of the free!
So let our bravery show itself,
knowing that what is need not be.

To fulfill the dream
requires we know what rights
He bestows on His created,
and what He asks of us in return.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart
    mind
        soul
            strength.
And love others as He loves.

Let’s be brave together!
One nation under God.

“Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God.”
-1 Peter 2:16