SHALL I SAY.......

Shall I say, I have gone at dawn, through littered streets
And watched the steam rising, from city grates
Where homeless men, find warmth where they can
And still stand tall and proud, of these United States
I think I can, I know I must, for other men I know I trust
The banner brave, the whores are too, late night lust
It pays the bills, and completes the indoctrination.......

Shall I say, a man is nothing, to his face, to start him working
Or do I bathe this very same man, give him tools, to understand
That his country has not forgotten, Him, or others like him
Take his hand, and be his friend,  and listen to him
His entire story, not just, the indoctrination......

Shall I say, I love my country, or do I debate
With angry words, that accomplish nothing,
Or do I stand up, and toil each day 'til dusk
Become the example, of trumpets trumping
Lending a hand, to anyone, no matter what
Doing the filthy work, of foul mouthed men
Who write the rules, of indoctrination.......

Shall I say, I Love my country, damn straight I can
For I'm a man, that loves his brothers
I'm a man, who's been taught by others
Mostly men, who toil each day, then sleep on grates
And pass on honor, each and every day, to one another
You can say, I love my country, but most of all
I love her children.........

Tony Taylor  (Chicago)