Banner Mountain Girl # 73 the Baker Sonnet–Land That I Love

I love my country land because I’m free.
America, a land of which I’m proud.
I sing her praises in a voice that’s loud.
It is a land that fills my heart with praise.
My country is the only place for me.
My land is beautiful from sea to sea.
Among world maps she stands above the crowd.
She is the greatest in so many ways.
I pledge allegiance and respect her flag
and fly it high on dark or sunny days–
it must not touch the ground or even sag.
America, a land of which I’m proud.
To honor those who for my country died,
I stand, salute the stars and stripes with pride.

© Freeda Baker Nichols
Flag of the U.S.A.1098161_660780950601531_626397485_nEagle at Banner Mt.

 

 

 

Columbus Day

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I learned how to remember when Columbus discovered America by memorizing a poem, shared with us by our teacher.

fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue

This new kitty rescued from a maple tree one night has discovered how our flag swirls in the breeze.

Columbus Day–a holiday for many. A good day to recall how I learned to remember when and by whom America was discovered.

It is also a good day to write poetry.  Yet, I have no new poetry to share. But such as I have, I’ll share with you:

fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue

Did anyone else memorize this verse to help you remember this date and this discovery?

–Freeda Baker Nichols

 

 

A Good Time for U.S. Citizens to Register to Vote Is Now

I received a call today from a dear friend who lives far away. She’s a widow and I had not talked to her in a long time. She and her husband were our close friends many years ago when we were young and our husbands were serving in the U.S. Air Force.
During our conversation, she asked me if I still planned to vote for the candidate we’d discussed in an earlier telephone call.  I told her I was. She said she had been encouraged by two of her family members to vote for the same one. She admitted that she liked the other candidate. But she said she would probably vote her family’s choice and my choice–because of certain issues.
There’s no doubt that my friend is a registered voter and has been for a long time.

If you are a U.S. Citizen of voting age but for some reason, you’ve never registered to vote, now is a good time to register.  Become interested in the process that keeps our country strong. Register. Go to your polling place. Vote!
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— Freeda Baker Nichols
https://freedanichols.wordpress.com

PROUDLY FREE by Freeda Baker Nichols

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Oh gentle breeze that waves my country’s flag
to greet the dawn with red and blue and white.
Please keep Old Glory high—don’t let her sag—
and keep her flying through the darkest night….
When morning has broken, oh breeze blow hard–
unfurl the Stars and Stripes into the air.
While we were sleeping, Armed Forces stood guard
to see that our flag kept waving up there.
With pride may our country honor the cause
of freedom for which we take a brave stand,
remembering the scarlet beneath the gauze
that binds the wounded in a war-scarred land.
If ever your stars become still as stone,
goodbye . . . farewell . . . America, my own!
© 2013  Freeda Baker Nichols

GOD BLESS MY AMERICA

Portsmouth, NHMission

How patriotic am I?
With respect and honor,
I recite the pledge
and sing the National Anthem.

But would I pick up a rifle,
sight and aim it
in defense of my liberty?
Would I die?
How patriotic am I?

This country I claim;
I delight in its wealth and its beauty;
its freedom I strongly proclaim,
But to keep it,
would I be willing to die?
Would I?
How patriotic am I?

c Copyright, 2012, Freeda Baker Nichols
From Poets’ roundtable of Arkansas Anthology