We Americans

by Gary Cottle

We are quiet and gentle
As much as we are brash.
We are communal
As much as we are individuals, rugged and refined.
We work in the morning for ourselves.
We work in the afternoon for our compatriots.
We dream, hope and pray at night.
There is no conflict.
Our country is large.
We spread out, body and mind.

We claim this country, body and mind.
We will not be dispossessed.
We give thanks for our bounty
As we acknowledge our wrongs.
There is no conflict.
We can be proud, grateful, humble, sad and sorrowful
As we laugh and dance with joy.
We know how to do all of these things,
We Americans.

We honor the cowboys and the cashiers,
The astronauts and the accountants,
The teachers and the custodians,
Star gazers, bird watchers, dancers and athletes,
There is no conflict.
Our country is large.

We are boys who go down on our knees
In basement rooms for men we do not know.
We give pleasure.
We walk with Jesus.
We are angels.

We are girls who speak out,
Sing, build and lead.
Taoists who have found the way.

We are male and female, both and neither.
We love male and female, both and neither.
There is no conflict.

We speak English, Spanish, Hebrew and Hindi.
We are brown, black and beige,
Writhing together in pleasure.
We hyphenate and assimilate.
Our country is large.

We march to the beat of our private drummers,
We pursue our ambitions
As we care for the sick, dying, afflicted and young.
We teach the children.
We take in the homeless and feed the hungry.
We do not ask who is worthy.
We are all worthy,
We Americans.

We believe in the Big Bang,
The Big Crunch, the Great Spirit,
And the Great Pumpkin.
We believe in love, hugs, smiles and handshakes,
We believe in open minds and open hearts.

We do not build walls.
We do not exclude.
We are not fearful of our neighbors.
We will not cringe by the threat of hell.

We claim this country.
We will not be dispossessed,
We Americans.