I, Too, Sing America

“question mark” image captured in deep space by a telescope.

Verse 1.

I too sing America

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes,

But I laugh,

And eat well,

And grow strong.

Tomorrow,

I’ll be at the table

When company comes.

Nobody’ll dare

Say to me,

“Eat in the kitchen,”

Then.

Besides,

They’ll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed—

I, too, sing America.

____________________

I, too, sing America

I am the Jewish sister

whose grandma arrived at Ellis Island

an unaccompanied minor age 12

a survivor of Holocaust and sweat shops

I am a daughter of a daughter of

the Great Depression

2nd generation Brooklyn born

to eat kosher Coney Island hot dogs

I once planted trees in Israel

now I eat kosher, halal, organic

and plant olive trees in Palestine

To care for my neighbor 

as I want to be treated

is the best I can do

I, too, sing America

______________________________________

I, too, sing America.

I am the white brother come from privilege.

My wealth inherited.

I am a misogynist who can grab “pussies” at will.

I am a fear monger.

I am greed.

I am a master of Ponzi schemes 

I am a racist.

I am a petty tyrant.

I am a convicted felon.

I am a charismatic demagogue who speaks the language of the people.

I am a homegrown authoritarian with the power to say—you’re fired!

The constitution can be terminated upon my say so.

I am a pre-existing condition 

based on genocide and slavery.

I, too, sing America

________________

This poem about America was inspired by Langston Hughes. Verse one, written by the great Langston. The strands of America are diverse, multi-cultural, multi-religious, international and include the MAGA’s among us!!!!
I invite you to add a new verse to this rolling poem! Iris