Original image from unsplash.com (Photoshop editing by Matthew John)

America

A poem

A pure terrain, drenched in blood
Ghosts of those who bore the flood
A craven nation built by slaves
“Magnificent!” the hero raves

And lo, your heart — a ghastly sight
Beating crude in endless night
You raped the rivers, streams and wind
Extracted and ravaged the fire within

You sterilized the weak and poor
Inspired crimes, horrors galore
You welcomed those who did the deed
Marching on to bleed, mislead

And those ideals that once remained
Were crushed beneath your mighty cane
Those abroad, those at home
Sacrificed to please New Rome