Independence Day Lament

Where have you gone
My Fathers?
And where have you gone
My Mothers?

The land of our birth lies
Disfigured
Nearly unrecognizable
From that given
So precious
Long ago.

We have worn the uniform
Borne the battles
Shed the blood
And for this?

Where have you gone
My brothers?
And where have you gone
My sisters?

From coast to coast
From lofty mountain’s precipice
To tropic island sands
From golden wheat lands
To tundra prairies
We have traded our freedoms
For supposed securities
All unrealized and intangible.

Where have you gone
My uncles?
And where have you gone
My aunts?

Our hearthstones are shattered
And our ovens are cold
Our quilts are tattered
And our banners faded.

I fear we have strayed
So far from the hard-carved path
So far from the ink on that treasured parchment
We may never return.

I weep for my country.

My Fathers
Mothers
Brothers
Sisters
Aunts and Uncles
Have not left you
Our homeland…

How is it you have turned from us?