July 4th Poem

[CadCom he/him]

So, I wrote a poem that I'm considering reciting at a small town July 4th program. It's a first completed draft and it's a bit different than my other attempts at poetry because it's much more historical based and sometimes that leaves less room for imagery. But I'd love feedback on the poem or suggestions to improve it. 

 

In Seventy-six, the colonies convened

To Dissolve the Bands that once had bound Thirteen

That parchment was the first flame of the nation

But flames, once lit, require preservation.

 

The tiny flame flickered through years of war

Kept just alive till the yankees had won

And redcoat oppressors stood here no more

 

The fight for freedom had now just begun

The Soldiers were owed for years of back pay

Which Congress had no writ of tax to fund

 

Tariffs and debts led to income delay

Farmers owed taxes they couldn’t afford

Til’ Shays led Rebellion of farmers dismayed

 

The impending collapse could not be ignored

The flame with bright hopes now barely remained

Convention was called, Amendments implored

 

So to Philadelphia delegates came. 

To mend the old frame or build in its place

And strengthen the nation, revive the flame

 

They each had dreamt a different outcome there

Of what they hoped could come of freedoms flame

So in a room with hot and muggy(humid?) air

They gathered to achieve their worthy aim. 

 

Perfection was not a quality held

By those fifty-odd men in attendance

Some people owned slaves, some egos were swelled

Tempers flared in the Hall of Independence

 

On almost everything they disagreed

From slaves to votes to states to presidents

From legislature to judiciary

But they knew the import of the event. 

 

New Jersey wanted equal votes by state

Virginia's plan was more proportional

This led to compromise so great

The dying flame revived, gave hope to all. 

 

So through four months of heated argument

Compromise became the guiding light

Inspired, they solved each predicament

Divided, yet united they did fight.

 

A semiiquincentennial gone by

And still their constitution is the law

Imperfect men who recognize their pride

Can build a nation in spite of all their flaws. 

 

Today is not a celebration of perfection

Instead, an opportunity for reflection. 

If we elect to pursue the American dream

We must unite fight for the same team. 

Freedom survives not by triumph or fame

But by imperfect souls who choose to stoke the flame.