"Patriot"

The shining city on the hill,
for this, I'd die, for this, I'd kill;
For liberty, for justice, fight,
not from the left, nor from the right
but from the heart, my very core,
I would let loose the dogs of war
upon the so-called holy men
who'd make our land the serpent's den;
Quite true, we still have problems here,
but I refuse to live in fear
of those who think to solve with flame
and blaspheme such a holy name;
Though towers fall, though blood may rush,
'76 cannot be crushed!
September villains cannot flee;
America! God's grace on thee!

an original poem by A. Christensen Johnson, 9/11/02