You Still Have Much To Learn

YOU STILL HAVE MUCH TO LEARN

If your belief

your memory

is dependent on a symbol

for its strength

then your memory

your belief

is a weak one indeed.

Followers of Christ

did without crosses

Tribes of Judea

did without stars

People on whose backs this country 

was built

the people whose lands

were stripped

(so we would eventually
have strip malls)

did without

a place for ceremony

a place to call home

and without the dignity

of being recognized

as equal humans

And if only you would look

(beyond maintaining

your own reflection)

you would notice

they still do

Your comfort then

commanded as much priority

over being decent people

as you demand it does now

This country

is not just yours.