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Ain't That America ... A Poem
I didn't think I would write any more poetry for Hubpages. I don't know the kind of poetry they support or their requirements in terms of length. It's rather confusing. But the other day, a friend asked me what I thought freedom in America meant. I told him that I'd have to get back to him. Then I remembered a road trip I took years ago. This is what I came up with.
From Jersey to Frisco, we roamed.
The days were sinewed and lithe,
Bright as a diamond sun
And no less perfect.
Night followed us like a friend...
Where tomorrow was just a word
And the guileless streams
Of light and rain
Fell straight as pins.
In the roundness of that moment to moment,
Sight and sound became touch,
The gathering of smile and sorrow,
Unmeasured.
Over thousands of miles
Breath joined breath --
Both stranger and friend --
Curious, hopeful and boundless.
Such...is freedom.
'Pink Houses' - John Mellencamp
© Copyright 2013 Genna East All rights reserved.
Comments
- Author
@Suzettenaples
Thank you. I so agree; I can only imagine the stories many here who have crisscrossed this great land could tell. Good to see you. :-)
@sujaya Venkatesh
Thank you, Sujaya. I am pleased you found it interesting.
- Author
@Saddlerider
Hi Ken. I want to thank you for writing such encouraging comments. Coming from one of my favorite poets, that is quite a compliment. You will always inspire me to keep writing. This country is boundless; I love Canada as well. I can't imagine traveling from coast to coast to see everything other than by car. I took a train once, cross country, and we could only see the backsides of towns whenever we stopped. Driving is the real deal, my friend. :-)
nice poem
I love your poem and I hope you keep writing poetry. This is so well done. Freedom is a road trip across America. What you can learn from a trip like that!
You must never think of abandoning talent such as that which is gifted to you in words my dear Genna. As for this delight, I followed your travels and like you amazed by every turn of highway and byway. Is America great, I've traveled your country from one end to the other numbers of times in my past and my breath was taken away often. We are a true melting pot of color, habits, stages of life and friendships. People never fail to amaze my inspirations.
- Author
Thank you, Peg. What a wonderful way to see this amazing country. A good friend of mine did the same with her husband when he was running a hauling business. The stories you could both tell. :-) Good to see you; I appreciate your visit and comments.
This poem is both heartwarming and poignant, Genna. Your poetry and song choice remind me of a trip I made across country in an eighteen wheeler. Wow. Now you've given me another idea for a hub.
"Of light and rain,
Fell straight as pins."
I love that.
- Author
I'm so sorry I am late in responding. I didn't receive the e-mail notification for some reason. Thank you for that wonderful and encouraging comment. And my very best to you and yours during this beautiful holiday season.
Well written I wish I could create beautiful poems as well as you do.
- Author
Hi Mike. Yes, I do, but I don't publish on HP. Thanks so much for that supportive comment. It's always good to see you!
Hello Genna. A comment led me back to this poetry, and as I read through the introduction I had a question. Are you writing poetry that is not being published? That, to me, would me a crime.
- Author
I agree...we seem to have lost much. Thank you for the visit and very perceptive comments. It's good to see you.
Deep words Genna America has come form far, but seems as though they are going backward just about now and heading in the wrong direction. May God someone how have mercy and show them the light.
Have a splendid afternoon
- Author
Hi Jackie...
The roads have changed over the years...I'm not sure I'd want to do this trip today. Thanks for that comment. Have a great week! :-)
Very good poetry and that highway reminds me of Georgia! Well traveling it years ago any way. ^
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Hi Anna. Thank you for that thoughtful comment. :-)
Flowing and conveying a real sense of tangible freedom. Nicely penned.
- Author
Thank you. I think that freedom has a different meaning, depending on who we ask. This was the best way I could describe what it means to me. So good to see you. :-)
Your poem gave me goosebumps. What a wonderful way to answer the question. I really like that picture of the the road trip. Great addition to a powerful poem.
- Author
Thanks for that comment; I agree. :-)
Both stranger and friend --
Curious, hopeful and boundless.
Such...is freedom.
This seems to sum up what I thought was he "American Dream"
- Author
Thank you, Rajan. :-)
This is beautiful. And a lovely video.
- Author
@RTalloni and DDE
Thank you! I appreciate your comments, and the visit. Good to see you. :-)
Awesome poetry and the photo is an absolute stunner.
I enjoyed this thought-provoking read. Glad you shared it here!
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@Lady Fiddler
Thank you for those nice words, Lady.
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@Eiddwen
Thank you, Eddy! :-)
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@Billybuc
Thank you, Billy. That’s so nice to hear. This country has so much to offer. I know that we’ve fallen on hard times and things are not what they used to be, but I truly believe that we still have such possibilities.
Beautiful Excerpt Genna :) Keep up the good works
Wonderful Genna.
Eddy.
I'm glad you decided to write more poetry. The world needs more beauty like this poem. Well done my friend. I have crossed the country four times by car and I never grow tired of the people and sites that make up this country.
- Author
Thank you, Lyric. I'm pleased you liked it.
Frank, I appreciate those encouraging words. Thank you! :-)
Its a shame poetry as well written as this one has to be written only when the thought comes to you.. Im glad you shared it bless you and keep on writing them!!! Frank
Genna, voted up, awesome, beautiful, and shared. Well said, you did great! You can certainly add poetry to your portfolio, very, very good!
- Author
Hello Micky.
Good to see you. I like your poem…these are words written by someone who has seen this remarkable country of ours. Thank you. -)
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Hi Audrey. Such lovely comments from one of my favorite poets. Your work is a bright spot for me as well. Thank you. :-)
From majestic mountains,
To fields of corn,
This is where,
Sweet dreams are formed.
Ribbons of asphalt,
From town to town,
Take us to other dreams,
Profound.
Well I for one, hope that you will keep publishing your work--whether here or elsewhere--your work is always a bright spot for me--beautifully done Genna--
- Author
Hello Dana;
Thank you for stopping by, and for your continued support and encouragement. You’re pretty close on that line, Dana. Very perceptive. I am happy that you liked it.
- Author
Hi Nellieanna;
Good to see you again. I loved the small towns the best. And you phrased it so well…I know what you mean. “It wasn't something one thought to 'DO', but it was how it was, something that was just part of life.” I think it is fading somehow, and this makes me very sad. Part of me wants to shut my eyes, tap the heels of my ruby slippers together and wish for Kansas again. :-) Thank you for the understanding comment.
What I really liked about your poem was the plainness of the words mixed with metaphor. Written without an ounce of pretense and your down to earthness in the ‘guileless streams of light and rain fell straight as pins.’ The subtlety in that line floored me it was so good. Excellent job, dear lady.
Dana
Thank you, Genna. My roots are very much in small-town and very rural America. There 'went with' that and those days a pervading sense of what I just call 'decency'. It wasn't something one thought to 'DO', but it was how it was, something that was just part of life. One sees it becoming more and more rare.
- Author
Hello Maria;
Thank you for those beautiful thoughts. Pennsy is such a gorgeous state -- breathtaking. I spent my teen years in NW Jersey, and have friends in Bangor PA. Despite all of our problems in this country, we still have such possibilities. Best wishes for a Happy 4th of July, my friend. Sending love back.
Hi Ruby;
I’m not sure if I would enjoy it as much as I did when we took our trip. We look at the world a little differently; perhaps with more wisdom, but also with more caution. I wouldn’t have missed our trip for the world, and think I might compare a new trip to the old, too much. I remember what our parents told us when we said that we would go where the spirit took us: “Are you crazy? We want you to call us every day.” Lol. But I’m sure many parents have the same reservations – regardless of our age. Thanks for those nice comments. Hugs, my friend, and Happy 4th, in this diverse land of freedom. :-)
Hello Faith;
Thank you, dear Faith. Your beautiful comments always bring a smile and a warm heart. Happy 4th. :-)
Hi Rasma;
It’s so good to see you, Gypsy. Thank you for those lovely thoughts and comments. God bless everyone. :-)
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Good morning Drjb;
Thank you! And Happy 4th of July to you and everyone in South Florida -- one of my favorite places; Tampa, Marco Island, Naples, and more. :-)
Hello Bob;
And hi back to you! :-) Good to see you. Thank you for the nice comment.
Hi YourCousins;
Thank you. I’m pleased you enjoyed the poem and video. I hope that everyone in Atlanta enjoys the upcoming holiday. I’ve been to your city; it’s a young town, full of interesting and wonderful people.
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Hello Kash;
Thank you. It’s funny, I wasn’t thinking about the 4th, but you are right. It’s always good to see you, my New England friend. Hope you enjoy a wonderful 4th. :-)
Hi Maya;
Yes, that’s what I meant in the poem; thank you, my friend. We read or see quite a bit about or country through the media, or television. But when we actually visit these areas and our neighbors, that’s when sight and sound become touch. And when we understand and reach out to others. Happy 4th! :-)
Hello Mary;
It’s always so good to see you. I appreciate your thoughtful comments to the poem. I hope you and your family have an enjoyable 4th of July.
Voted up and awesome. Love the pic and the video. Enjoyed this. I'm with Faith. God bless America. Passing this on.
Dearest Genna,
This is superb poetry and so beautiful as to freedom. The song and video are just perfect.
Voted up ++++ and sharing
God bless you and God bless America, Faith Reaper
I loved your poetry Genna. I would love to take a cross-country drive through America again. I wonder if i would enjoy as much as i did in the early eighties? I think people still want the same things, freedom leading the pack. The video is beautiful. Thank you...Hugs
Genna,
This brings tears to my eyes...inspiring, meaningful and poignant.
Voted UP and UABI with the perfect song. Love, Maria
- Author
Hi Silent Reed;
That is so true. Freedom means many things, but you pointed out what makes it so special and so worthwhile. Thank you.
Hi Mike;
I know what you mean about traveling the roads again. I wasn’t interested in seeing cities – except for New Orleans… I had to see it, and really loved it. But the small towns and outlying areas were my favorites. And the fields of Iowa and Nebraska, the big sky country of Montana and also the part of the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona. Through all of the diversity out there, there is still a common thread, and that’s what I wanted to write about. Thank you for those thoughtful comments, Mike. Happy 4th! :-)
Hi Nellieanna.
What a lovely comment; thank you! I never met an on American who -- if we were visiting their lands or towns, and were honest and respectful of who they were -- were not incredibly honest, straightforward and kind in return. That is what impressed me about tour trip. Good to see you. I am one of your devoted fans, my friend. Hugs. :-) Good wishes for an enjoyable July 4th.
- Author
Hello Susan.
Thank you; I’m happy you enjoyed the poem and video. Good to see you. I know that July 1st is your special day – Canada Day. I hope this holiday has brought you much enjoyment.
Hi Sereseus;
It’s so nice to meet you. I look forward to reading your hubs as well. Thank you for the visit and kind words.
Hello SGBrown;
Thank you…that was my intention, so I’m happy it was interpreted that way. Your comment gave me a big smile, and that is a wonderful gift. Good wishes for a happy 4th. :-)
Interesting poem. I especially like the line "Night followed us like a friend." Keep writing!
Hi stranger!
Good work
Bob
What you came up with, Genna, is exceptional poetry and the perfect video to accompany it. Thank you for this treat.
This was beautiful Genna. I think it could easily be put to music as an anthem of what freedom really is. "The gathering of smile and sorrow
Unmeasured." You said it beautifully.
Voted up, awesome, and interesting.
I loved this.
In the roundness of that moment to moment
Sight and sound became touch,
The gathering of smile and sorrow
Unmeasured.
There was no beginning or end where you could touch the country and its residents and the happiness and sorrow of one were not more important than another’s. Beautiful words Geen. It makes me want to be young again and do a cross-country road trip.
You’re not writing more poetry at Hub Pages?
Hi Genna this is such a beautiful written poem and great spirit of america within your poem and a great way to start off July . Well done !
Excellent poetry and more excellent sense of what America really IS, at least as I've known it these many years.
I hope you never relinquish sharing your poetry with us, your fans! Just WRITE and share!! Hugs, your faithful fan - Nellieanna
Genna your timing on this is perfect as we approach the 4th of July. Your words carry an echo as you traveled through this country that was open spaces and clean hearts. Each in our own way traveled those highways together from Jersey to Frisco. Many of us wish we could travel those American highways again. This is a real prize this morning.
Not just in America, but freedom lovers anywhere else in the world would like to feel the "guileless rays of light and rain", hopeful and unfettered. The poem's message is understood by all men of goodwill. Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful poem, full of spirit and hopefulness! :)
Truly remarkable Geena.... I am your humble fan if you will have me...:)
Genna, I really like this poem, and great song choice to accompany it.
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