Of poetry and patriotism

Of poetry and patriotism by debgrant

We made it through the day. 

The country, the world, you, me another day.  Much, much pain and suffering still ahead, and yet, it is good to have a different path. 

I watched everything yesterday. Two thoughts keep surfacing.  Amanda Gorman's poem. I was at once proud of a poet perfectly capturing the moment in history and envious of her youth and immediate fame to amplify her voice of wisdom and courage.  I usually have to defend the relevance of poetry. Yesterday, at least, I didn't. 

The other thought was wondering when our definition of patriotism could widen beyond flag-waving, guns and cannons saluting, military marching, and yes, dare I say, even beyond the deep reverence for those who fought and died in the military. We do such a good job of honoring the fallen. Our democracy was...probably still is...threatened by those whose only understanding of patriotism is might makes right.

What if patriotism was defined more broadly? The poet Gorman said what "if we merge mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy..."

What if that was our definition of patriotism? Then perhaps every pillar of light that shined for those countrymen and women who were felled by a rampaging disease and everyone who lives their lives in such a way as to keep us all alive and safe and free would be as highly regarded as the tombstones at Arlington.

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