In the shadow of Lincoln, a dream was declared,
A dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident," he shared,
"That all men are created equal," his enduring theme.
In the sweltering heat of injustice and oppression,
A dream of freedom arose, refusing to wilt.
A dream that one day, without concession,
The sons of former slaves and slave owners could stand, guiltlessly built.
He dreamed that his children,
In a nation where they'd not be judged by skin,
Would unite in brotherhood, a new beginning,
In the symphony of freedom, a harmonious kin.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring,
From every city and hamlet, the dreamers sing.
With this faith, we carve a path, a new day to bring,
Joining hands, black and white together, freedom's bell to ring.
"We will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope,"
With courage, we stand, with our dream, we cope.
With this faith, we face the uncertainties of the slope,
And in unity, we find the strength to grope.
From the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire,
To the mighty mountains of New York,
Let freedom ring, our dream declare,
Until justice rolls down like water, in our tireless work.
January 15, 2023
Created by
MarkWaldrop
Taken from Martin Luther King Jr.’s
“I Have a Dream” speech
I found myself in a distant land
I'm just a kid. I don't understand
I certainly wasn't raised this way
Killing people almost every day
It didn't take long to find out freedom wasn't free
Kids like me were dying all around for you and me
January 4, 2024
MarkWaldrop
British tea cast adrift
In sixteen seventy-three, in Boston's embrace,
A protest arose, a bold act took place.
Colonists, weary of taxation's cruel sting,
Against British rule, in defiance, they'd swing.
December's chill graced the Boston night,
A harbor scene painted in revolutionary light.
No representation, yet taxes so steep,
Fueled a rebellion, no longer asleep.
Three hundred forty-two chests in the sea,
British tea cast adrift, a powerful decree.
No submission to acts that unjustly bind,
The Boston Tea Party, a mark on the mind.
An echo resounded through history's halls,
A catalyst brewing for liberty's calls.
In the lead-up to revolution's solution,
This act stood strong, a fervent contribution.
December 9, 2023
Created by
MarkWaldrop
On December 7, the winds of fate did blow,
A date engraved in history's somber glow.
Infamy struck, a nation held its breath,
President Roosevelt spoke, declaring death.
In solemn words, a nation stirred,
Echoes of war, a call to be heard.
Through the pain, courage would rise,
A nation united, with tear-filled eyes.
Roosevelt's voice, a beacon strong,
In the face of darkness, a resolve prolonged.
A date remembered, in history's decree,
December 7, 1941, echoes eternally.
Created by
MarkWaldrop
In battles fought, in scars they bear,
Veterans stand, a solemn prayer.
Freedom's price, they've truly known,
Their courage, a legacy sown.
Through wars and trials, they have stood,
A testament to brotherhood.
Our duty clear, to safeguard the gain,
For their sacrifice, not in vain.
Let gratitude be our heartfelt song,
For veterans brave, courageous and strong.
A pledge to keep the flame alight,
To honor them, both day and night.
November 11, 2023
MarkWaldrop
248TH USMC BIRTHDAY
In the crucible of history, for 248 years strong,
Marines stand united, a legacy that's long.
From Belleau Wood's echoes to Inchon's shore,
In blood, sweat, and sacrifice, honor they bore.
Heroes like Woody Williams, Cafferata, and Daly,
In the heat of battle, their deeds spoke bravely.
Shoulders we stand on, their courage our guide,
Earn our title "Marine" with each rising tide.
From the Great War's trenches to battles untold,
Marines fought for freedom, courageous and bold.
In Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East's call,
They answered with valor, they gave their all.
A life of service, of sacrifice profound,
In mud-covered uniforms, honor is found.
To be first to fight, the mission we embrace,
Choosing the path that others might not face.
In war's shadow, Marines relentlessly train,
Excellence our standard, to endure the pain.
From sea to land, we rise and return,
Our unique culture, a flame that'll forever burn.
Sergeant Major Ruiz and I stand with pride,
In this past year's feats, our strength amplified.
Every Marine, active, reserve, and vet,
Uphold our standards, a duty we won't forget.
Protect your kin, preserve the legacy we share,
Happy Birthday, Marines, in unity declare.
With "Ooh Rah" echoing, let our spirits soar,
For 248 years strong, and many more.
Taken from
A MESSAGE FROM THE
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE
CORPS
General Eric M. Smith
November 10, 2023
Created by
MarkWaldrop
Prayer, not politics I heard the Speaker of the House say
It’s been too long coming waiting day after day
All the mass confusion and turmoil will this lessen or go away
If we fervently turn toward God and earnestly begin to Pray
There is only one way to discover if it will make our sadness leave
Putting into practice what we preach and pray we will less grieve
Pray for Godly men and women desiring to serve our country for you and me
Through such Godly men and women, Our Country will surely remain Free
October 27, 2023
MarkWaldrop
There are many sounds of Freedom ringing in my ears today
The thunderous sounds of jet engines as they fly away
The sounds of peace calm my fears
Sounds are welcome music to my ears
Sounds of Heavenly Music that enter my soul
Hearing the Golden Bells of Heaven as they toll
All of these wondrous sounds set me free
Knowing that God's Love forever lives in me
October 21, 2023
MarkWaldrop
The time is coming when no one will be found
To be the Great President of our great land
Each party scrutinizes the other
Only finding fault with one another
When will this end? One must say
It seems the future is not far away
Created by
MarkWaldrop
In the sky, a squadron strong and bold,
A hundred F-35s, gleaming gold.
Yet one dared wander far astray,
From the ninety-nine, it chose to stray.
But the military, with hearts so true,
Left the ninety-nine, their mission in view.
They searched the skies and land so wide,
For the one that chose to leave their side.
And when they found it, a lonely sight,
Their F-35 returning, late in the night
For in that moment, they came to see,
The one that was lost was meant to be
So, like the parable's lesson profound,
In unity and care, strength is found.
For the one that wandered, they cherished more,
In the skies of unity, they'd forever soar.
Created by
MarkWaldrop
