"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a
nation gone under." --President
Ronald Reagan
The Cross of Love
(A gift of poetry to you, President George W. Bush, on your second
inauguration)
From a place faraway
I escaped the slavery of the Viet Cong Communism
I have been bestowed upon
With the abundance of American altruism
There is an invisible cross I have carried
To voice the voice of others
As God has blessed my poetic soul
To travel the American path of freethinkers
I am writing this poem on Martin Luther King's Birthday
I hear him say, "Let freedom ring!"
Let love and peace soar in this nation's skies
The air, the trees, the liberty... God is amazing
Is God defined as a religion?
How would a poet be educated on this?
How do you interpret the symbolism of the cross?
Oh, "American Civil Liberties Union," what is your analysis?
The cross is not narrowed to a religion
It symbolizes the sacrifice and the giving from Above
It has become a culture of this generous nation
To the human sanity, it truly means "LOVE"
ACLU, are you simply overzealous?
Have you the clandestine ruse in your hand?
Do you mean to vaporize this very symbol of humanity?
Is the USA still your motherland?
Do you appreciate the country that gives you freedom?
Are you grateful for her soldier sons and daughters?
They are blessed with this Cross of Love as their last rite
Now, your ego and America's pride, which is greater...?
For all my life, I have worked for Los Angeles County
They presented me the seal in honor of its people
How dare you attempt to vandalize its sacred image
After all, as a public servant -- I am praying for a miracle...
Linh Duy Vo
January 17, 2005 ©
Poet's Note: The American Civil Liberties Union has threatened to remove the cross from the historical seal of the County of Los Angeles. It will take a toll on the taxpayers for the replacement.
© Copyright by Linh Duy Vo. All rights reserved.