Happy Birthday America
By Fatou Jaw Manneh
Or do I simply say: Thank you America
236 yrs ago today to be exact
America gained Independence from Great Britain
A militia was started and headed by George Washington
A farmer from Virginia to stand up to the British tyranny
With dedication they fought and fought
Welders, farmers, barbers, bakers, cooks, merchants and lawyers
Some very educated some not educated and some were African slaves
All use tactfulness, diplomacy but their Freedom a must
Give me liberty or give me death cried out Patrick Henry from Virginia
Thomas Pain used his penmanship to sway the public conscience
Delivered Common Sense, a pamphlet that will change the way the rebellion was perceived
“Those who oppose tyranny and a tyrant, please stand forth”, he declared
They stayed the course, to fight for their freedom at whatever cost
John Adams a thoughtful Lawyer from Massachusetts
Defended the British soldiers after the Boston Massacre, a revolutionary himself,
But declared human rights is a must even for the enemy when they’re cornered
Happy Birthday America
America founding fathers are men with different temperament
In both their professional and personal lives
Came together with prudence to guide this huge nation
Of scattered colonies to an unpredictable future
They were called traitors after the declaration of Independence document
Penned and drafted by a lawyer and scholar Thomas Jefferson
A burden and document too radical for the times and for this young man
Still he labored for 2 days in the construction of every sentence
As thoughtful words pour out of his head in a Philadelphia boarding house
An almost perfect memoranda that will help these great men
Guide this vast nation called America in unpredictable times into the future
But they are ready to be hanged together or make this new world together
Ordinary men with extra ordinary minds, bound by a common sense of purpose
To free their people and build a democratic country second to none
Men who see beyond tribe, egos and filling their pockets
Exemplary and extraordinary men who stood by their convictions
And refused to be swayed by mediocrity and the might of a dictatorship
Stood up for freedom and liberty for America and for mankind
A noble Frenchman called La –Fayette also came from afar to
Lend his clout and military skills to the uncompromising Americans
Together they stuck even after the king of England dispatched
Twenty-five thousand soldiers, a hundred and thirty warships
And a barrage of guns shots from the British army unleashed on them
To crush the American Revolution
And yes they had to deal with the Benedict Arnolds within
The egoistic, the greedy and the vain, but united they stuck
Families got painful separations but sacrifice was made
As patriots were distinguished from Royalists
The king of Britain finally went MAD after he knew he cannot crush a people
Who are so dedicated for their freedom
Guess what was the icing on the cake?
George Washington after securing Independence
Became the first American president
Refused for America to become a monarchy
Refused all titles and settled on the simple name as Mr. President
Happy Birthday America
Of course certain policies I hate from this country which ironically is now the superpower
Its imperfections, sometimes arrogance and extreme swagger
But alas I have no choice but to marvel at your bravery,
Responsibility to your generation, dedication, and wisdom
As you carve out this now mighty superpower for mankind called America
Where every man and woman running away from despotism,
Nepotism and tyranny calls home. I salute you all the Founding fathers
Thank you America, Happy Birthday America and God bless America
From Maafanta Archives ,2012
“Our contest is not only whether we ourselves shall be free, but whether there shall be left to mankind an asylum on earth for civil and religious liberty.” - Samuel Adams, America Founding Father