Americans

We are actually much deeper

than the stories about ourselves,

the tragic, unanchored drifting,

vertiginous sense of not knowing,

of having no basis for deep compassion

and decisive action.

We are not those shallow people

who accumulate stuff

and blame others

for the lack of joy in our lives.

This is who we are:

Grounded in truth. Formidable.

Able to demand fairness for all,

able to protect the sovereignty and dignity

of every living thing.

Able to say no to the growing, rolling

ball of lies that tries to drag us under,

Able to stand as strong

as any long-oppressed survivor,

able to see love win.

©Wendy Mulhern

September 3, 2013