avatarAustin Briggman

Summary

The text is a reflective and critical poem expressing disillusionment with the American reality, contrasting it with the idealized image of America as the land of opportunity and freedom.

Abstract

The poem presents a poignant critique of contemporary America, questioning the nation's direction and actions, which seem to contradict the values and history that were once taught in schools. It touches on the suppression of women's rights, the manipulation of the poor through abortion laws, the excessive influence of money in higher education, the impact of war both abroad and within the country, and the societal obsession with superficial wokeness. The author reflects on their personal experiences with the American system, painting a picture of a society that is far from the idyllic land it aspires to be, and instead, is entrenched in systemic issues and a loss of authentic human connection.

Opinions

  • The author suggests that America has become a place that suppresses women's rights, particularly at the ballot box and through cultural pressure.
  • America is criticized for exploiting the poor through policies like abortion laws, which are seen as a strategy to maintain class divisions and economic disparities.
  • The poem conveys a sense of disillusionment with the education system, which is overshadowed by bureaucracy, greed, and superficial social trends rather than genuine learning.
  • The military-industrial complex, drone warfare, and the treatment of minority groups, especially Black men, by law enforcement, are highlighted as areas of deep concern and moral decay.
  • The text expresses a longing for the natural beauty of America, which is contrasted with the modern, technology-driven lifestyle that distracts from the genuine experience of the country's landscape.
  • The author feels that true American values, such as kindness and opportunity, have been lost to political and social manipulations aimed at controlling the populace and enriching the powerful.

howling

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

america, what happened? where are you? where is that land i learned about in school? in your school reading your books the histories that were written by your scholars under your watchful eagle eye

america, you are no land for a little girl crippling your women at the ballot box howling at them from across the street telling them who to be as if they cant figure that out on their own creating your own cultural blowback as we endure this feminist phase of jargon senseless and repetitive and exhausted perhaps part of the machine unknowing

america, must you pretend to cater to the meek? only to instill policies to create a dependence collecting the votes filling your own pockets living your own lies can your people just be kind without your forced instruction?

america, your abortion laws are a sham a ploy to keep the poorer class poor and growing your justification phoney your bible be damned

america, land of opportunity milk honey land of wings taking dream

i whored my way through your system of higher education learning more from exposed flesh and naked minds your regulated booze and forbidden plants then the overpriced semesters fueled by your bankers their hands greedily dispensing tuition funds

america, what war are you fighting today? drones and bombs destroy the desert overseas your people for the war against the war unable to think for themselves while your badged foot soldiers wage their own private war on the homeland streets reckless with their intent manhandling your black men killing without conscience without reason without fear

america, is this it? is this the land you proclaim to be so great? is this the land i was forced to love? is this where your pride lives?

america, i want to lie upon your beach i want to hear the sounds of your ocean crash and listen to the birds as they soar above feel your hot sands lost in the strands of my hair

but alas, i cannot do this my phone craves my attention and i must make my coffee weak so i can feel woke

and so i drive this dark red chevrolet with leather seats through the night with the sunroof open the volume deafening

i am american howling without my voice

Poetry
America
Political
Frustration
Anger
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