My country, ‘tis of thee’

My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Words put to music, as paint is to an artist’s canvas speak volumes, tell a story or depict history.

Sadly, today in the age of Trump, these words are as hollow as a rotted-out tree that once stood tall and proud amongst the trees of a forest. Recently, while listening to songs of my generation, I was drawn to Neil Diamond’s “America” where Diamond sings of the experiences of immigrants who have traveled from their native lands to escape tyranny,oppression or to better their lives and live a life of freedom in America.

Today, as in the early years of our great nation, the same scenario is taking place, however, many of Diamond’s lyrics ring false due to Trump and his immigration policies. “Far”, yes, these immigrants have traveled far and the “star” they dream of and seek is America and to be free. Far from home, some with their only possessions stuffed into a duffel bag, others with only the clothes on their backs.

They may have thought that they had weathered the storm once they reached America, only to find that they were now in the eye of the storm. Freedoms light, the new and shiny place they sought was now a detention center or prison. The beds they sleep in are cots or on concrete floors with Mylar blankets.

Yes, they will say grace, buts it’s no longer for giving thanks. The torch of freedom that Lady Liberty holds no longer burns bright and warm in the age of Trump. Emma Lazarus’s words, “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest tossed, to me: I lift my lamp besides the golden door” no longer carry any meaning in the age of Trump.

Our flag is no longer unfurled with opening arms and the dream they’ve come to share has been lost through the separation of children from their parents, in the age of Trump. My Country, ‘tis of thee, no longer great land of liberty of thee i no longer sing, but cry with shame, in the age of Trump.

Sadly, the American dream no longer exists for those seeking refuge and ever more sad there is only one man ( if he can be called such) responsible and that is the president of our country, Donald Trump, who has never absorbed what America means to those seeking a safe haven from tyranny and oppression, only to find it now has come to America in the name of Donald Trump, God Save America!