In poetic verse: Still proud to be an American?

It is with sadness that I write,

Not in pain and not in spite,

Instead with deep regret and more than slight concern

Wondering just when, oh when, will we ever learn?

It hit me like a brick, not too long ago

When at a band performance, quite the entertaining show.

At the end we all got up, our hats were off to sing

Lee Greenwood's classic song, with the patriotic ring.

The song is“God Bless The USA,” a classic from way back when.

On thelist of inspiring songs, it surely rates a ten

But here is where it hit me, a gut punch through and through:

A feeling came across me, not good, but it was new.

With his words he belted out the popular refrain,

“And I’m proud to be an American,” it struck mejust the same

That right now? In our country’s current state?

For the first time in my life, not sure that is the case.

Am I proud to be an American? Not really feelin’ it right now.

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With tariffs going wild, and climate disregard

And the way we treat our immigrants, it really makes it hard 

The childless, embarrassing comments, the tweets of ill retort

The lies, revenge and anger, too many to try and sort

It all adds up to sadness, not who we thought we were

Around the world they see us, creating quite the negative stir–

A democracy in shambles, a divisive citizenry

The degradation and decline, there for all the world to see!

I hope it’s just a moment, and one where we all look back

A rough time we did have, in football terms, we took a sack

I am confident we’ll bounce back up,  and shine just like the sun

Maybe not too long from now, for the damage has been done.

I am an older man, so I prefer not too long to wait

Wishing more of the love of others, and much less of the hate

So, before I leave this precious world, here now is my one wish:

To stand up smiling once again, when Lee proudly sings that song

To really believe the words he says: “God Bless The USA.”

And most of all, when he belts it out, “I’m proud to be an American,”

that popular refrain,

Deep within my heart and soul, I want to feel that once again.