Tonight's Poet Corner: This Land Is Your Land

This Land Is Your Land
by Belinda Roddie

There are children behind fences
in this sweet land of the free
that we took from natives so it could
belong to you and me.

There are children behind fences,
red and sobbing for their mothers,
while the men in uniform all joke
of the need for "conductors."

Hear the kids scream for their parents
who risked everything for refuge -
but, sure, say that they deserve it
while you hug your niece or nephew.

Now, a man shouts at the camera
to a monster, "Sir, how dare you!"
There is evil lurking everywhere,
and yes, it better scare you.

For the children behind fences
may have TVs, but no solace.
They are torn from love and comfort
by men both heartless and lawless.

You can act like this is unexpected
from the red and blue,
but the flag we wave's been blood-stained
for years: This is nothing new.