Poetry

by Evan Brand

A royal fuss has sprung about,
Should “under God” be in or out?
Or does it really matter what is said?

My view is that yes it does,
God should stay out, this is because,
For a matter with no bearing such as this.

It’s simple, but I must explain,
The reason I know such disdain,
For a matter with no bearing, such as this.

It is because each day at school,
I tend to almost lose my cool,
My sweaty hands clenching to a fist.

“Please rise” the teacher seems to nag,
All heads turn to the wrinkled flag,
Then a noise, a chant? A song? A moan?

It is The Pledge we now recite,
A bragging of our country’s might,
Then the words that make me feel alone.

“Under God” they all proclaim,
I cannot say it, not that name,
For I cannot say what I don’t believe.

I am alone, a moment a day,
Inside me notes ring of dismay,
I do not fit here, this place is not for me.

Is this not the land of free?
Of equal opportunity?
It doesn’t fit that I should feel this way.

And yet these people will take action,
So they can have the satisfaction,
Of those two words that they “have” to say.

And so I’m sad for those like me,
For those with some diversity,
That have that feeling that never fails to haunt.

So now I ask, to those God fearing,
Think of those with pain that’s searing,
Is that really what your God would want?

For more information contact youth @ uua.org.

Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.