For Decades

for decades we have
breathed in the air of freedom,
pausing briefly
a few times
to dispel rumors
of disunity;
for decades we have
pacified our enemies
until lies
and promises of lies
has rebuilt
our broken faith;
for decades we have
offered charity and
sympathy
to the rest of the world,
ignoring
our needs at home;
for decades we have
contradicted ourselves
and our beliefs
to feed the furnaces
of wealth,
greed,
and legal manipulations.

21Jan13