Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace–but there is no peace.
The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north
will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!
Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle?
What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have?
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased
at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!
I know not what course others may take; but as for me,
give me liberty or give me death! ~~~ Patrick Henry
She is always with us. Though we wonder sometimes if she will ever again show herself, she is never far from the hearts of those who love her. We saw her rise in glory from the ashes of an attack on that crystal clear September morning. She waved to us from the colorful red, white and blue displays on nearly every lawn, home, business, government building, and school in the aftermath. We caught glimpses of her beauty as cars whizzed by us with symbols of her on their bumpers and small flags on their antennas. We heard her soft voice in the sweet simple melody of God Bless America as it echoed from our Capitol in Washington to Los Angeles, California. We felt the presence of her strength in speeches of unity, hope, and courage. America’s patriotism rose from the wreckage and we were blessed in our pain. She helped to heal our wounds and held us close. She beckoned us to look deeply into the eyes of our neighbor throughout the tragedy, and to realize that we are one. She asked us to understand that we are a family. She taught us that we are Americans and that only in our unity can we remain strong.
She is never far from those who know her and love her, but merely elusive at times. We call out for her but those who would crush her attempt to silence us. Though claiming to possess her, to them she is as mysterious as the Lord in the heavens above. They do not understand her nor care for her. They merely want to use her to their benefit, rape her of her dignity, and claim her as they betray her very essence. However, she is not a whore to be used or to be bought with lip service alone. She is a lady. A lady, whose requirements are small yet rewards so great. She is a gracious lady with but one fundamental desire. To unite a nation.
While some may mock her by shaming the country she loves, she waits patiently to hear from those who love her. She longs to hear the sweet sounds of affection, small signals of loyalty, soft phrases of love, and whispers or shouts of devotion. She is a woman. But even more passionate is her desire to provide for her children. She longs to nurture this nation. She longs to raise a nation that will be the envy of the world. She longs to rear a nation of decency, compassion and unity. She only asks that her children will love one another and their home. She will unite them and strengthen them if they will permit her. Her family name and its honor are at stake.
But she is a woman of the twenty first century. She is intelligent and she is strong. She knows her friends and she knows her enemies. She asks her friends and her children to stand for her but she will never demand it. She knows that loyalty given unwillingly isn’t loyalty at all but merely an act of a citizen under tyranny. And she knows that patriotism professed through snarled lips is but a mockery used by those who veil their hatred of her nation by using her name. No. Though she is worthy, she will never demand allegiance or love from anyone because she is a lady.
© 2006 Christi S. King
