We’ve had two hundred thirty years of liberty
Where common citizens could revel being free.
The Bill of Rights names freedoms, but mainly gives us voice,
Because, when everything is said and done, it gives us choice.
We’ve had hard-fought elections but we’ve kept the peace;
By doing that we prospered, saw our strength increase.
But with our independence you would also find
The trait for helping others would be of one mind.
So we have been a work in progress from the start;
Our history shows that, and that sets us apart.
We’ve had our wars, our tragedies, and human flaws,
Plus droughts, depressions, plagues, but always with good laws.
Humanities and private industry took hold;
And that’s how we came to be named, with accents bold.
That reputation brought the emigrants in a flood;
And soon it seemed Americans were of one blood.
The fact that you could keep what you had earned was new;
The right to do with that just as you chose, that too.
The one thing that would help the most was ‘lots of room!’
And what you chose to do was strictly yours to groom.
So knowledge, drive, and opportunity was rife;
Pursuit if that, with diligence, could be your life.
But private industry is what has made this land;
The freedom to pursue a purpose, understand!
©Richard Williams