There's something about us
We Americans
I think it must be audacity
The audacity to think that we can help
That we should help
That we must help
That it's right to help
Because we can
Or is it naiveté
To think our help is needed
Wanted
Desirable
Sure we have self interests
But self interests don't define us
More times than not
Self interests say
Stay home
Don't stick your neck out
Don't risk it all
Play it safe
It's not your fight
Let the other guy do it
It's not in my back yard
But No
We can't do that
It's not in our makeup
It's not in our soul
To turn our back
It's often feared
That we want to change the world
Into us
To wipe out other cultures
To make the world over
In our image
But that's not us
There's something about us
We lead
With our hand out stretched
We trust and have hope
Because we find it intolerable
To believe otherwise
It's not that we won't fight
Oh, we'll fight
But when it's over
We'll help you to your feet
Dust you off and tend your wounds
We don't believe that might makes right
No, we're not perfect
But at our core
We believe in basic principles
Honesty
Fairness
Equality
Opportunity for all
Safety and security
We want for you
What we want for ourselves
To be Free
Life
Liberty
And The Pursuit of Happiness
Yes, there's something about us
by Kevin L. Hoffman
... who is a professional artist and freelance writer; although
this is his first published poem, his essays and photography have
appeared in national magazines and books.
