When children played.

I'm no longer a stranger, 
in this so called land of the free,
surrounded by shade, 
of an enduring and scarred oak tree,
forefathers of the eagle,
bow their heads with solemn dismay,
I recount stories of yore, 
where I trod on echoing cobblestone streets,
as Mustangs cruise by, 
with angry sounds of their favorite beats,
on roads fighting for freedom, 
and democracy since Independence Day.

An Amish rocking chair creaks and forgives, 
my unholy sins of the past,
a long winter is underway, 
with rumbling thunders and skies overcast,
the Godfather fires his lieutenants,
and tweets about his greatness,
even the Queens fair isle, 
is filled with despair and tired warriors,
these streets are divided, 
with anger and faith in a sanctimonious leader,
the ghosts of the wise, 
wander this land with tears and bitterness.

In this age of instant gratification, 
this lands children are full of empty lust,
children begetting children, 
the pursuit of knowledge has begun to rust,
belief in the cold truth is anathema, 
to those who promulgate alternative facts,
my eyes moisten with nostalgia, 
of flying kites on breezy summer days,
as wide eyed patriots march, 
to another war and the godly sing their praise,
human resources work even harder for less, 
with no time to rest and relax.

I ask the near forgotten founders, 
"who truly represents your children,"
are we raising true patriots, 
or merely collateral damage civilian,"
science and belief imitates the ethos, 
of the dark ages in the classroom,
my reflection in the mirror, 
only shows despair and carefree days long gone,
my aching bare feet tread over this lands dead, 
where once they worshiped the dawn,
concerned parties have moralities, 
for the womb, the bedroom and the tomb.

Where do these roads and streets lead to, 
if we are truly free,
some lead to your dreams,
and others to pain and misery,
the soldiers on the hill force you to pay, 
their toll or lock you away,
idealistic philanthropy has been superceded,
with selfishness and ego,
what has happened to those men, 
who once loved the world in times long ago,
when their children played safely in the streets, 
full of joy and laughter in the air.