The American Dream

The American Dream


The American Dream
‘Tis like the gold
That sneaky leprechaun has hid
White picket fences
A cat and dog
A yard to play
Perfectly sodded grounds
With flowers and shrubs
No weeds to find here
A moderate size home
Two car garage
The swing set sways
The balls bounce on the court
Laughter echoes

The American Dream
How perfect She is
To the immigrant who wakes
On free soils
To the child who now has health care
The perfection of speaking at will
Saying what you please
Yelling or crying
Laughing or pouting
Living or dying
How ever you please

The American Dream
The chance to have
Likely that you won’t
People in sedans
Drive through the streets
Children needing shoes
Parents doing without
Roofs leaking
Parents praying
Babies crying
Care givers scratch off the ticket
How quickly life could change


The American Dream
Is it for sale at a store near you?
Does that plastic in your wallet get you closer?
Have you seen who you are?
Do you know where you’ve been?
How can I show you?
Why can’t you see?
The American Dream
It is you
It is me
It does not belong to us
But to the children for whom we give great fuss
It is not things
Nor is it stuff
You can’t get someone else’s
You must eat the pie you were served
Be it apple or rhubarb
Sweet or sour

The American Dream
It is in you
It is in me
It is in those who seek new
It is for those who right the wrongs of the past
It is a place
A pleasure
A gift
A sanctuary
The American Dream

The American Dream
You will never find the gold
Until you are happy with you
You see –
You are The American Dream
You are why this nation is here
You Are The American Dream!!

Melissa Daniels
6/2008