Her torch is flickering out
For nearly 150 years
with a mothers arms opened wide
she stood elevated with pride
Focused and eternally vigilant
harbored with hope inside
For all who saw her light
hungering for unity
and common community
and a unfettering of the chains of oppression
she gave direction
jubilant and expectant
seasick,hunger spent
Cramped cold, young and old
Weeks on end in the hellish bottom deck
Together a vision of possibility was lent
The poorest of the poor storm tossed blew in
Knowing she stood there
for all that would be good and fair
Yearning for humane dignity
Offered up as a blessing
she guided them in
and gave them opportunity
For the basic rights
of all she was sought
A bellwether in foul weather
She could gather them together
Now hardened and tarnished territorially
Awash in all the greed and misdeed
That humankind has wrought
The making of a union of diverse identity
that as one people for democracy we fought
She favored us with that trust
to include all of us
For many she has shed copper tears
The torch of liberty that she held tight
in her rusted hand for years
Is now flickering out
Turning all from safe harbor
By closing tight this Nation\'s door
confronting death of equality and security
Upon this once E Pluribus Unum shore