(for Lawrence Ferlinghetti)
and they came by the thousands
to celebrate the newest additions
to the international contingent
of tired huddled masses
to give us a hug
and a pat on the back
and say
don't worry, our proud
and downtrodden
brothers and sisters
we will stand with you still
and raise a glass to toast
your once great notions
and sing your freedom song
in stadiums full of hope
while you slowly awaken
from your fever dream
and fear not
for when this is all over
we shall welcome you
back into the fold
like the family drunk the morning after
sleeping on the front lawn
from an all night bender
and we shall take back with us
to our once shit-hole countries
that no longer seem so different
in these troubled times
your gifts to the world
that they may bring
comfort and hope
to carry us all forward
into the dawn
of a changing world order:
Mac-n-Cheese
and Ranch Dressing.
God Bless America.
