Dearest Old Friend,

Oh, how I miss the joys
of your patriotic celebrations
sentimental speeches
and inspiring stories

How we once found comfort
in our epistles to one another
My poems and posts
Your history and literature
Schoolchildren’s pledges
Congress’s laws

Now I look through books
of saved postage stamps
that illustrate your beauty
and celebrate your triumphs
with portraits of people
who smiled up from envelopes
full of shared generosity
and hopeful vision

But enough nostalgia!
The news is unforgiving
in its graphic sorrows
of war and detention
poverty sex and greed
while truth is secreted away

In my daily grief I hear you
reminding me to write
other letters other poems
to listen to young voices
and to sing brave new melodies
about the moon and mothers
and mercy among men

Whatever is ahead for the two of us
dear country whom god has blessed
know that your democratic missives
are among my greatest treasures

Be Well. Stay Safe. Keep writing.
Yours Always…Anne

by Anne McCrady

NEWSLINKS: New York Times, CNN, Arizona Mirror

AUDIOLINK: SoundCloud