4th of July

The inclination is high grade unity
waving the grand old flag
so excuse me in my rancor
yes my words might seem a drag

But if you read Frederick Douglass
Malcolm X, Eldridge Clever, and more
you can't help but say the American
experiment has a questionable core

Don't get me wrong not about
to discard my domicile and flee
but can we come to a consensus
about a stark reality?

Still a distance to go before
we claim peace hope and tranquility
just sniff of what passes for news
ain't Martin's beloved community

From the incarceration rates to
the classrooms or living to a ripe age
representation in the board rooms
and how society measures the rage

From the access to ballots
since here voting isn't a holiday
to the plethora of D.C. lobbyists
largely one folk who pay to play

Turn on C-span, all the think tanks
pontificating for everyone else
from drug use to nuclear arsenals
diverse viewpoints left on shelves

Be real the dude in the Oval Office
isn't forging bonds across lines
in fact if you watch his rallies
leaving folks behind is fine

You see in his world of capital
if total wealth booms all is well
who cares if libraries close
poor folks getting all kinds of hell

Uber rich can pad coffers
while minimum wage leaves the door
you must be lazy and unmotivated
blame yourself for being poor

I still believe in the power of
good natured people to effect change
but don't expect me to uncritically
embrace your home on the range...