Liberty is a gift,
Handed down by the Constitution,
Through time.
But have all accepted it,
And given it a home
In their minds.
Are the graces of liberty
Truly free,
When the disproportionately incarcerated
Ask for the key,
Given it by its brother,
Equality,
Whose presence
Has escaped the nominally free.
Those dying suicidally on the reservations,
Those whose bones litter the plantations,
Those so-called migrants
Harvesting our food
Who can’t afford to feed
Their pesticide-poisoned brood;
Those lacking rights,
But gave their lives
Defending the nation.
The men who have died,
Bequeathed the tears
In the women’s eyes,
Thinking of the hopes denied.
Have the forefathers lied?
Or have their dreams
Been deferred and then died.
Or did they take wing
Flying off into the night.
Did The politicians
Get it right?
Is liberty confined
To the forefathers’ papers?
Can the statue have virtue
If daily you rape her?