From Parchment to Pilgrimage

A poem for America 250.

From Parchment to Pilgrimage

When Heaven smiled upon this rugged shore,

A sacred trust was planted in the sod;

Not forged by crown nor won by ancient lore,

But built upon the free pursuit of God.

Then... July the Fourth—1776—

A humble room, yet Providence was there.

No clash of arms, no trumpet's martial cry,

But truth set down with solemn, faithful care.

"We hold these truths..." Still rolls that sacred sound,

Though kingdoms fade and mighty empires fall;

Not fashioned by the cleverness of men,

But ancient truths first spoken over all.

"...that all men are created equal..."

But not yet in talent, wealth, or fame.

Imago Dei is every new births sequel,

And bears forever Heaven's royal claim.

"...endowed by their Creator..." There it stood—

The boldest sentence ever set in ink!

If rights are gifts redeemed by God's own blood,

No tyrant's power can break our People's link.

"...with certain unalienable Rights..."

the roots that sprouted from the holy seed; 

have anchored us through tempest and dark nights,

for no one dare can take away this Creed.

From freedom's seed such blessings to behold:

Our fields have fed the hungry round the earth;

Our minds unlocked discoveries untold,

Our labor multiplied creation's worth.

When darkness marched and despots seized the day,

Our sons stood fast where others feared to go

Their blood became the price that cleared the way

For captive souls now free to pray and sow.

Two hundred fifty years! Let's light the skies!

The parchment yet withstands both storm and flame.

"We hold these truths..." inspires our hearts to rise,

And calls each generation to proclaim.

So let the bells ring out from sea to sea;

Let grateful songs ascend the vaulted sky.

For God has blessed this land abundantly,

And called her still to lift His standard high.

O Lord of Providence, your mighty hand,

Has led us since our Independence Day,

From lakes and hills, and mountains down to sand,

Bless this we pray, our American Way.

And when our children's children gather thence

To mark 300 years, should thee ordain.

May Freedom's flame still crown this favored land,

for pilgrims who were faithful to sustain.