American Crucible

He came as a crucible,
Testing democracy,
Judging our convictions,
Putting liberty on trial
Like the thief and charlatan
He is.
He came as a teacher
Not knowing the lesson,
Not understanding the history
But lecturing us
On being Americans when
He is not.
He came as a spotlight
Illuminating our prejudices,
Highlighting our hatred,
Showing us that we are
Not much better than
He is.
He came as a push,
A jab in our sides,
A mirror to show
That we have become
Too much, too close
To what he is.
He came as a liar
To teach us the truth,
He came as a whiner
To teach us resolve,
He came a destroyer
To teach us to build.
Pay attention!
The lesson is here!
Are we dedicated enough?
Educated enough?
Compassionate enough?
Are we too complacent?
Too lazy?
Too consumed with
Cell phones, apps, and
Netflix binges?
Are we outraged enough?
Frightened enough?
To push back
To fight back
To reclaim what we own
And he stole?
Are we American enough?
Democratic enough?
Do we love our Constitution enough?
Do we love our neighbor enough?
To stand together?
To fight together?
The American Crucible has arrived —
Can we pass the test?

