4th of July, © 2019 Michelle Kogan, watercolor.
Happy Poetry Friday and Happy 4th of July!
I’m sharing an acrostic poem for the 4th reflecting on American values. And a poem by Emma Lazarus whose poem “The New Colossus” was engraved on the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal in 1903.
Patricia Stohr-Hunt is hosting this weeks Poetry Friday Roundup at her blog The Miss Rumphius Effect. Stop by her blog for more poetry goodness! Thanks for hosting Patricia!
AMERICAN VALUES
Fanfares celebrate changes
Of guard, a reclaiming of justice,
Ushering out oppressive acts and
Rekindling care of humanity–
Time to turn these un-American tides and
Harvest new tides– Tides that wash
Out social, political, and environmental injustice, and wash in
Feelings supporting all individuals on this fourth of
July. Time to embrace diversity a
Unique and original American value,
Longing again to feel the warmth of Lady Liberty’s Light,
Yearning again for inalienable rights for all!
© 2019 Michelle Kogan
THE NEW COLOSSUS
by Emma Lazarus
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
Thank you for sharing both of these poems Michelle. Here in Canada many of us are demanding that our political leaders censure the concentration camps where children are being held. I hope the the power of love wins out.
Thanks Cheriee, love and I think we need some persuasive help in there too.
I love your art, Michelle, rather dreamy as I feel the emotion of your acrostic poem, too. And I love your metaphor of the ocean tides, in and out, also connected to Lazarus’ poignant words: “The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. . .”
Thanks Linda, I really enjoyed revisiting Emma Lazarus’ poem and will return to more of her writings and poetry.
Michelle, thanks for sharing Lazarus’ poem and reflecting it in your own acrostic poem.
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore”
“Longing again to feel the warmth of Lady Liberty’s Light,
Yearning again for inalienable rights for all!”
Your lines: “Harvest new tides– Tides that wash
Out social, political, and environmental injustice, and wash in
Feelings supporting all individuals on this fourth of
July.” are carried through into your art.
Thanks Carol–still hoping that we’ll see some change.
I like your hopeful poem! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Thanks Ruth!
I hope we see the changes your poem celebrates. I especially like the metaphor of the tides sweeping out injustice.
Thanks Kay, me too!
Yesterday was hard for me, but your poem gives me hope, Michelle. I love it.
Thanks Kimberly–glad it gave you some hope!
I am always blown away by the way you can create art with words and images! I especially love, “Longing again to feel the warmth of Lady Liberty’s Light.” I wonder when we will ever feel this light again.
Thanks Carol, I hope will feel some of that warm light soon…
I like the hope, courage, and determination (maybe even a tad bit of righteous anger) in your poem. Makes me say, “YES!!” And, as always, I love your art!!!
Now that’s my kind of Fourth of July! May it be so, Michelle.
Thanks Michelle!
Michelle, your flag is stunning and I like the way you employed the tides washing in and out in your poem. Hope your holiday weekend was enjoyable.