Conversation on the 4th of July
(Recited on July 4, 2019 at the 4th of July Celebration Concert)
To “Liberty Enlightening the World”
From California to New York City
Stretch bridges, statues and states
From the span of the Golden Gate
I look east toward the Statue of Liberty.
If I could take the ferry from Battery Park
And pilgrimage to her island perch
Cruising around her light at dark
The soul of America I would search.
Or journey to her during the day
Joining hundreds of others with stretched neck
What has she seen, what would she say
If she could take a rest from her deck
And talk to me for just a sec?
“If She Could Speak”
France shipped me across the Atlantic sea
Bertholdi created and crated his gift
For Americans whose foundation wouldn’t shift
I took a stand for Liberty.
I look out on the Manhattan skyline
At night, a sea of twinkling lights
People ferry to me – they have leisure time
I salute my veterans who visit the sights
My torch points the way to a future
My eyes see left and right unite
My foot is raised to move forward
I seek unity, not uniformity, not a fight.
I am the beacon of freedom; you see
When copper ages it greens like new spring
My hope for my nation rises each morning
For my country cares for liberty
And I stand for it.