Ode to America
by Erin Black, a woman roaring
I love America because I left.
I traveled far and wide only to return to my home.
My home is in America and after my return I cried and ranted because I did not
live somewhere else. After being exposed to the world, the great big, beautiful
world, I felt trapped by the stupidity that defines so much of America. I wanted
to flee these borders again and breathe deep the freedoms offered outside of
America. I wanted to see, taste, hear the flavors of other cultures that were
unrestrained by stupidity and hate.
As I sat in a living room feeling the pain of entrapment and the devastation
of no more freedom, I realized that my life had ended. Just like that I was no
more. I no longer existed.
I became part of the stupidity.
I love America because I woke up.
I slept in denial and self-pity for years.
In my home in America I cried and ranted because I was cut off from
all things that move forward, ! that fight, that dance, that cry
out. The four walls closed around me and I sat in my box of stupidity.
Then I woke up. I began to breathe again and see, taste, hear again. As
I sat in a living room being born again, I realized that my life had
started. Just like that I was me. I existed out loud!
I became a woman roaring.
I love America because I am me and me kicks ass!
I love America because I have a voice and I use it.
I love America because I know how it ended me and how it brought
me back.
I love America!
