Thom Francis
American Dream
This is America
Herding up those with
Slightly darker skin
Locked up in cages
Like unwanted animals
Waiting to be put down
This is the land of opportunity
If you fit into the right tax bracket
Come from the right family
Have the perfect look
And the cleanest blood
Running through your veins
This is the place of dreams
Of working until you bleed
Just for a piece of bread
For your family of six
Working three jobs
Just to pay for one
This is the home of the brave
Not noticed until it was too late
Worshipped by the masses
Instant celebrity sainthood
While the true heroes
Toil in the field and teach
The young to read
This is the hall of heroes
With record contracts
Movie deals
Baseball bats
Multimillion dollar salaries
And endorsements
While their wide-eyed younf fans
Can’t write their own name
Count past five
Tie their shoes
Or feed themselves
But play the same childs game
For free
This is America
I was always told
This is the place where you can make it
No matter what your belief system
Religion
Background
Or race
But now I see that
This is America
Where freedom is absolute
As long as you follow their rules:
Don’t speak too loud
Don’t gather too large
Don’t print the truth
Don’t pray to that god
Don’t question anything
This is America
You are in good hands.