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
Freeda Baker Nichols 