next to of course god america i -- e e cummings

Guest poem submitted by Vivian:

(Poem #1072) next to of course god america i "next to of course god america i love you land of the pilgrims' and so forth oh say can you see by the dawn's early my country 'tis of centuries come and go and are no more what of it we should worry in every language even deafanddumb thy sons acclaim your glorious name by gorry by jingo by gee by gosh by gum why talk of beauty what could be more beaut- iful than these heroic happy dead who rushed like lions to the roaring slaughter they did not stop to think they died instead then shall the voice of liberty be mute?" He spoke. And drank rapidly a glass of water -- e e cummings

Here's one for the Fourth of July [1]. This poem speaks for itself and to us
(or at least to me) now and further comment is perhaps unnecessary. It's
amazing how some things never change -- or maybe life imitates art. Note the
rhymes (especially "beaut"/"mute"!) and that he is playing with sonnets
here.

Vivian.

[1] Sorry, we're late as usual - ed.