A Southern Liberal's Ode to Democratic Underground

[JDwho]

*Please forgive any grammatical or prose sins I commit when I write, it is entirely unintentional; It’s been a hard few months in my area, during the election, and this is my form of gentle venting*:

Raised in the South, where tradition is sound
I enter adulthood, and reason is found
What I once thought solid, now is soft ground
And it seems I am sinking in sand.

So, I read, think and listen to all those around
With time-honored philosophies, some that astound
The sense I belong to this group that confounds
My heritage, no longer quite so grand

All reason, knowledge and love that abounds
It burns like blue heat, no words can cool down
My friends think I’m a traitor to the faith I throw down
But I say, Love is the greatest command

I say, the fruit that you bear should be all around!
Though, while you criticize me, it’s yet to be found
Young ones fight for your right to be ignorant and un-found
While you gather, and slander and fail to understand

The new day dawning has come despite you clowns
And as you judge me, sure that I’m express-hell bound
I have my faith, and am no puppet of the church you've crowned
My ears are deaf to what your political preachers command

I have seen mercy, hope and love; and heard a cry for justice that resounds
I have seen the fruits of people who refuse to be bound
I have rallied with the citizens that refuse to pipe down
Courageous protectors of the constitution and true Patriots of this land

Respond if you wish, neighbors of mine, and make it fearsomely profound
I’ll not shake in my boots, nor alter my stance; I’ll even tell you where I can be found
I share company with other Americans, in a free and equal place...Democratic Underground.
They're much like the founders, tenacious and true, and it’s with them that I continue to stand.

JD

[TomInTib]

1. Words simply fail me (for once)

Next time you feel like nailing it, let me know...

I will bring a little-needed hammer.

Killer, JDwho....

Tom

[JDwho]

2. Thanks Tom, I think you're my biggest and only fan...

No, really. Thanks.

[TomInTib]

5. It's their fucking loss

I want to post this again, tomorrow.

This is beautiful.

Makes me want to go out on the veranda and howl.

I don't know how else to respond.

Beautiful...

Sitting across a table...

Good wine.

Tom

[The Wielding Truth]

3. You have honored us all with this poem. Democracy is our

precious common thread.

[Morning Dew]

4. nice. Thanks for the good read.

nm

[JDwho]

6. Thank all of you for reading it. I know it's lengthy...

but I could write pages about living in the South. Thank God I have DU, or I'd go mad.

[tavalon]

16. Don't I know that!

I lived most of my life in the south and my family hails from South Carolina. It's weird but that crap just didn't stick with me. Hell it didn't stick when I actually lived there! I can't tell you (well, I can. I'm about to) how happy I am to be living in the great northwest. It's blessed.

[lamp_shade]

7. Beautiful !!

[rateyes]

8. K&R from another liberal raised in the South who

knows what you mean. :kick:


:hi:

[Joe the Liberal]

9. Brilliant.....

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

Great poem, and welcome to DU :hi: :patriot:

[JDwho]

17. Thank you for your gracious welcome and the applause

:hi:

[mentalslavery]

10. I hear this

been living in Mississippi for 3 years, came here from chicago!

[livvy]

11. I like it very much, too. Nicely done!

Welcome aboard, and write more!

:patriot:

[zeemike]

12. If there were errors in it I did not see them...

What I read was a perfect expression of feeling and hope.
Well done and welcome to DU.
I hope you write more.

[Hubert Flottz]

13. Even in the south there are lots of people who never bought the lies.

I welcome and salute you.

[TomInTib]

14. OK, Dammit....

It is 4AM.

I want to grab my favorite guitar, have Mason carry me to the airport.

Write songs, raise Hell.

Or, maybe, I will just surrender.

Go to sleep.

I always miss out on the good stuff.

Tom

[JohnnyLib2]

15. Moved to the south 30+ years ago, still in culture shock.

K & R!!

[JDwho]

18. I envy those who have been able to move out of the South,

but at the same time, I believe change happens from within. Though, I'm not sure if this place will ever change. A liberal sticks out like a sore thumb, and sometimes it hurts like one, too.

Thanks for the nice things said, and the recs!!!

Perhaps, I should have titled this " A Southern Liberal's Ode to Democratic Underground, and All of the Little Blue Dots who Decorate Red States".

The post-election reaction here in SC. hasn't been very discreet, and I honestly don't know where I fit in with these people. There are, as one person said, a few in the South that have never bought into the narrow minded bigotry and lines of traditional (archaic) thought. I count myself as fortunate to have escaped that mentality.

I pray that one day, this part of our great country comes around.

Oh, and my sympathies to those who have moved here after living in blue states; don't worry, it's not contagious, just infuriating.

Thanks to all again, for allowing me to share.

[Freeusfromthechurch]

19. Out of the park good!!!!!!