An Ode to The Red, White & Blue

 

What right do you have to turn

your nose down at me?

Insulting me with your tone and glares

but gleaming with joy at my hand’s craft…

cheap-eats, your new home and well-groomed landscapes.

Remember I was here first.

You illegitimately came, kicked me out of this land

where I now dwell.

Yet and still,  you call me illegal.

Don’t worry if I don’t speak your language,

but you’re gonna to have to know mine.

I’m just one of many colors.

 

What right do you have to turn

your nose down at me?

Insulting me with your arrogance and contempt,

but enjoying my cuisine, electronics and art forms.

Is it too painful to look at me?

Do I remind you of lost wars and battles?

Remnants of my blood and sweat, still connect your railways.

My cheap handiwork increases your profit.

Don’t like me…

then you don’t like my things you own.

I’m just one of many colors.

 

What right do you have to turn

your nose down at me?

Insulting me with your politics and statistics,

but enjoying my culture, music and dress.

Enjoying the free labor of my ancestor’s blood,

yet saying I’m looking for a hand-out.

You have enjoyed all the benefits of a  one-way cruise

I never wanted take.

You say I’m angry, self-destructive and scary,

No, I’m just one of many colors.

 

What right do you have to turn

your nose down at me?

Making me into your blue-eyed devil.

Accusing me of all that ails your life.

There’s a plane and a boat that has a seat with your name on it.

Whether good or bad,

we all have benefited

Are you mad at me or at God?

He made this blanket

I’m just one of many colors.